GENERAL AWARENESS

July 2021

Vol. 9, Issue 11

A PUBLICATION OF GYANM EDUCATION & TRAINING INSTITUTE PVT. LTD. SCO 13-14-15, 2ND FLOOR, SEC 34-A, CHANDIGARH

NATIONAL NEWS Contents MAY CURRENT AFFAIRS 03-35 April 2021 to May 2021 MODI ATTENDS EUROPEAN COUNCIL MEETING BULLET NEWS 36-58 Dec 2020 to March 2021 LATEST 100 GK MCQs 59-66 SBI CLERK - Prelims 67-83 MODEL TEST PAPER Current GK Bytes 84-109

FIGURES TO REMEMBER

REPO RATE 4.00%

REVERSE REPO RATE 3.35% MARGINAL STANDING 4.25% Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually joined in the Meeting of the European FACILITY RATE Council on May 9 as a special invitee of European Council President, Charles BANK RATE 4.25% Michel. The meeting was hosted by 's Prime Minister Antonio Costa, as STATUTORY LIQUIDITY RATIO 18.00% Portugal currently holds the Presidency of the European Union Council. CASH RESERVE RATIO 3.00% All the 27 heads of nations of European Union attended the Meeting. A wide range of issues were discussed at the meeting including Free Trade Agreement, Foreign BASE RATE(s) 8.15 to (of various banks) 9.40% policy and security, controlling COVID-19, Climate change and environment, Trade, connectivity and technology, Non-proliferation and Disarmament, among ’sRANK IN others.

E-commerce Index 2020 71st MODI HOLDS VIRTUAL SUMMIT WITH UK PM World Happiness Report 2021 139th Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Boris Johnson Intellectual Property (IP) Index 2021 40th participated in the India UK Virtual Summit on May 04.The two sides discussed Economic Freedom Index 121st the entire gamut of bilateral ties and exchanged views on regional and global Scientific Articles Published 3rd issues of mutual interest. They adopted an ambitious ‘Roadmap 2030’ to elevate bilateral ties to a th The Global Climate Risk Index 2021 7 ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’. The Roadmap will pave the way for a Democracy Index 2020 53rd deeper and stronger engagement over the next ten years in the areas of people- The Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 86th to-people contacts, trade and economy, defence and security, climate action and 2020 health. Innovation Index 50th Ease of Doing Business 63rd FINALLY, A DRUG FOR CURING COVID-19 Human Freedom Index 111st The Drugs Controller General of India has given Human Development Index 131st its approval for the emergency use of the anti- Receiving Spam Calls 9th COVID drug- 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) Global Hunger Index 2020 94th developed by the Defence Research and Teacher Status Index (GTSI) 6th Development Organisation (DRDO). The drug has Asia Power Index 2020 4th been approved as an adjunct therapy in the moderate to severe COVID-19 cases. Global Economic Freedom Index 105th It can provide early relief from oxygen dependency among the patients, which can Human Capital Index 116th be helpful as the second Covid-19 wave rages on across the country, and more Global Innovation Index 48th patients continue to need medical oxygen. The drug has been developed by th World Risk Index (WRI) 89 DRDO’s Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, New Delhi in Budget Transparency Index 53rd collaboration with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Hyderabad.

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“SAMUDRA SETU-II” TO BRING OXYGEN WORLD’s 1st VIRTUAL ARBITRATION PLATFORM Jupitice Justice Technologies, a Chandigarh-based legal tech startup, has launched the world’s first private digital platform to conduct virtual arbitration, conciliation, mediation and other Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms. Powered by AI & Blockchain, the startup has launched an online justice service marketplace to file and resolve disputes online between individuals, organizations and Governments, through ADR Mechanisms, i.e. Arbitration, Conciliation, Mediation, etc., all online on a single platform. Like any other arbitration award, any online arbitration award received on the Jupitice platform is as legally enforceable as a court decree.

APRIL The launched “Operation Samudra Setu-II” to help in faster transportation of medical oxygen and MODI HOLDS TALKS WITH NETHERLANDS PM other requirements from other countries to India, amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a virtual summit its worsening COVID-19 pandemic. Seven Indian Naval with his Netherlands counterpart Mark Rutte on April ships have been deployed for shipment of liquid medical 9. The two leaders discussed measures to strengthen oxygen-filled cryogenic containers and associated bilateral cooperation. They also exchanged views on the medical equipment from various countries. regional and global issues of mutual interest. Both countries have wide ranging cooperation in areas of INDIA TOPS IN RECEIVING REMITTANCES water management, agriculture and food processing, India received over $ 83 billion in remittances in 2020, a healthcare, smart cities and urban mobility, science and drop of just 0.2 per cent from the previous year, despite technology, renewable energy and space. a pandemic that devastated the world economy, according to the World Bank’s latest Migration and Development Brief. China was at second spot receiving $ 59.5 billion in remittances in 2020 against USD 68.3 billion the previous year. Remittance outflow was the maximum from the ($ 68 billion), followed by UAE ($ 43 billion) and Saudi Arabia ($ 34.5 billion).

INDIA GOOD IN GOVERNMENT EFFECTIVENESS The two countries also share a robust economic India has been placed partnership with the Netherlands being the third largest at 49th position investor in India. There are over 200 Dutch companies among 104 nations in present in India with a similar presence of Indian the Chandler Good businesses in the Netherlands. Government Index (CGGI) 2021. The 6thRAISINA DIALOGUE HELD IN DELHI Index observed that The 6th edition of the Raisina Dialogue was held in “Civil service virtual mode from April 13 to 16. The Dialogue is innovation and capacity building is a key focus for the India’s flagship conference on geoeconomics and Indian government”. Finland has secured the top geopolitics and is held annually since 2016. It position in the Index, followed by Switzerland and represents India’s contribution to the global efforts for at second and third spot, respectively. discovering solutions, providing stability, and Venezuela is the last ranked country at 104th spot. identifying opportunities to a century that has already The CGGI is an annual index developed by the Chandler witnessed an eventful two decades. Institute of Governance, Singapore. It measures the The Raisina Dialogue is jointly organised by the External effectiveness of the governments in 104 countries across Affairs Ministry and Observer Research Foundation, a the world in terms of their capabilities and outcomes. The Delhi based global think tank. The theme for the 2021 index focuses on seven pillars: leadership and foresight; Edition is "#ViralWorld: Outbreaks, Outliers and Out of robust laws and policies; strong institutions; financial Control". The name Raisina Dialogue comes from Raisina stewardship; attractive marketplace; global influence and Hills, the area where India’s Rashtrapati Bhavan is reputation; and helping people rise. located. GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 4

SC GOES IN FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INDIA FARES WELL IN INTERNET USAGE The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), in partnership with Facebook, released the Inclusive Internet Index 2021, which measures the extent to which internet is available and affordable and to what extent people around the world are using the web. India has been ranked at 49th spot. The index was topped by , followed by the USA and Spain. The Index surveyed 120 countries, representing 98 percent of global GDP and 96 percent of global population. The overall Index score is based on four parameters, which are: Availability, Affordability, Relevance and Readiness categories.

The Supreme Court of India on April 7 launched its INDIA AT 140thRANK IN GENDER EQUALITY Artificial Intelligence portal: SUPACE (Supreme Court India has fallen 28 places in the World Economic Portal for Assistance in Courts Efficiency). The system is Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2021, and is now one first of its kind in the world. of the worst performers in South Asia, trailing behind Through this portal, the SC intends to leverage machine neighbours , Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and learning to deal with the vast amounts of data received -— it is now ranked 140 among 156 countries. at the time of filing of cases. The apex court is burdened The country was ranked 112th among 153 countries in with pendency and the bulky volumes of records being 2020. filed. According to the report, India has closed 62.5 percent of This system will help in taking out the important facts its gender gap till date. Iceland is the most gender-equal and the issues that the parties have raised. The portal country in the world for the 12th time, followed by aims to assist the judges, court staff and litigants in Finland and Norway. several ways by addressing existing bottlenecks resulting in excessive delays. INDIA FARES POORLY IN PRESS FREEDOM Reporters Without Borders, a Paris based international IISC, B’LURU & CALCUTTA UNIV. RANKED BEST NGO associated with guarding the freedom of press, The Indian Institute of Science (IISc Bangalore) has released the World Press Freedom Index 2021 to secured the top position among the best higher evaluate the press freedom situation in 180 countries education institutes in India, while Calcutta University and territories. was ranked as the best varsity in the country, as per the The Index placed India pretty low at 142nd position. recently published Academic Ranking of World Norway retained its top spot for the fifth year in running, Universities (ARWU 2020). However, in the world followed by Finland and at second and third ranking, their rank was below 500. At the global level, place respectively. Eritrea is at the bottom of the index at Harvard University, USA was placed at the top, followed 180th place. by Stanford University, also from the USA. INDIA NOT GOOD IN ENERGY PERFORMANCE DCGI ALLOWS EMERGENCY USE OF SPUTNIK V The World Economic Forum (WEF) prepared a report in The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) granted its collaboration with Accenture, an Ireland based approval to Dr Reddy's Laboratories on April 13 for multinational consulting firm to release the Energy restricted emergency use of Russian COVID-19 vaccine Transition Index (ETI). The Index tracks nations on the Sputnik V in the country. current performance of their energy systems across Initially, the company will import the Sputnik vaccine various aspects. into India and later it will be produced locally. Sputnik India has been ranked at the 87th position among 115 countries V has been approved for use in countries with a total covered by the Index. The top 10 countries in the index are population of 3 billion people, or about 40 percent of the Western and Northern European countries. Sweden secured the global population, and India has become the 60th first position followed by Norway (2nd) and Denmark (3rd). country to approve Sputnik V. Dr Reddy's had partnered with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) in September 2020 to conduct clinical trials of Sputnik V and distribute the vaccine in India. Currently, India is using two vaccines - Covishield by Serum Institute of India Ltd. and Covaxin by Bharat Biotech.

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JHARKHAND TOPS IN SMART CITY PROJECTS NEWS FROM STATES Jharkhand clinched the first position in the recent

ranking released by the Union Ministry of Housing and MAY Urban Affairs, Government of India, based on the

progress of the implementation of the Smart City SHERGAON IS THE BEST BMC IN INDIA Mission's schemes running in 100 different cities of the Country. It may be noted that Jharkhand has only one city selected under the Mission, Ranchi. The Mission was launched in 2015 with an outlay of Rs. 48,000 cr.

FIRST REAL TIME FLOOD REPORTING SYSTEM Assam became the first Indian state to have a real-time digital flood reporting system Flood Reporting and Information Management System (FRIMS). With the river Brahmaputra flowing at the crux, Assam is prone to severe floods and erosion every year. FRIMS has been developed jointly by Assam State Disaster Management Agency and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The Shergaon Biodiversity Management Committee OIL PSUs TO DEVELOP BADRINATH DHAM (BMC) in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh The top Oil and Gas PSUs of India, including IOC, BPCL, has been given the ‘Best BMC in India’ award in the fifth HPCL, ONGC and GAIL, inked a MoU with the Shri edition of the India Biodiversity Awards, given by the Badrinath Utthan Charitable Trust on May 06 for National Biodiversity Authority of the union ministry of construction and redevelopment of Shri Badrinath environment, forests & climate change. The award Dham in Uttarakhand as a Spiritual Smart hill Town. recognizes the efforts of individuals, communities and Under the MoUs, these PSUs will contribute Rs. 99.60 institutions working towards biodiversity conservation, crore in the first phase of project. sustainable use of biological resources, and biodiversity governance. The award was given on the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity - May 22. The awards carry a memento, a certificate and cash prize of Rs 2 lakhs each for individuals and Rs 5 lakhs each for institutions.

KARNATAKA TOPS IN SETTING UP HWCs Karnataka has emerged at the top in establishing Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs) under the Ayushman Bharat Program to provide comprehensive primary health care Phase I will include developmental activities such as river in rural areas in 2020-21. A total of 5,832 HWC have embankment work, building all-terrain motorable roads, been established till March 31this year against the building bridges, beautifying existing bridges, establishing target of 4,653 centres given by the Centre. The State gurukul facilities, developing public conveniences, upgraded 3,300 centres till March 31 against the given installing streetlights, etc.

target of 2263 centres. APRIL

DISTRICT UDHAMPUR TOPS IN PMGSY Udhampur district of the U T of Jammu and Kashmir bagged top position at National level for successfully implementing Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) during 2020-21. The district constructed 560.49 km roads in 2020-21. Among states and UTs, Chhattisgarh secured top position for constructing the highest length of rural roads. PMGSY was launched on Dec 25, 2000 to provide all weather ‘pucca’ roads to connect villages with the nearest all weather road. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development. GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 6

RAJASTHAN TO PROVIDE FREE HEALTH INS. NATIONAL MISSION ON USE OF BIOMASS The Union Power Ministry plans to set up a National Mission on the use of biomass in coal-based thermal power plants. It aims to address the issue of air pollution because of farm-stubble burning and reducing the carbon footprints of thermal power generation by using farm stubble and other such organic bio-waste as fuel for generating power. The mission will have a minimum duration of five years and will also contribute to the National Clean Air Programme.

Biomass is a plant or animal material that is used as a Rajasthan became the first state in the country to fuel to produce heat or electricity. Some examples of provide free health insurance facility to all the citizens Biomass energy are crops residue, wood, and waste of the state. Named Chiranjeevi Health Insurance from yards, forests, or farms. Scheme, it is a cashless ‘mediclaim’ scheme where each family will get annual health insurance up to 5 lakhs. ‘SWAMIH’ GIVES HOPE TO FLAT BUYERS More than 600 home buyers of Rivali Park of Mumbai ❖ The World Bank approved a $ 32 million support for were handed over the much-awaited keys of their flats Mizoram Health Systems Strengthening Project to on May 13. This is the first stalled project completed improve management capacity and quality of health with funding by SWAMIH (Special Window for services in Mizoram. Affordable and Mid-Income Housing) Fund, which is ❖ The World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment managed by SBICap Ventures Ltd. The scheme is Bank approved a loan for $ 300 million for canal- administered by the Department of Economic Affairs based drinking water project in Punjab for ensuring under the Ministry of Finance. The government, in quality drinking water in Amritsar and Ludhiana. November 2019, announced a Rs 25,000 crore-SWAMIH ❖ The Asian Development Bank approved a $ 484 fund to help complete over 1,500 stalled housing million loan to improve the road maintenance and projects comprising 4.58 lakh housing units which were transport connectivity in the Chennai-Kanyakumari facing extreme cash crunch. Industrial Corridor- CKIC in Tamil Nadu.

MIS LAUNCHED FOR AGARBATTI STICKS GOVT. INITIATIVES The National Bamboo Mission launched an MIS (Management Information Systems) based reporting MAY platform for agarbatti stick production. It will collate the locations of stick making units, availability of raw GOVT PLANS TO SET UP 10 OSCs ABROAD material, functioning of the units, production capacity, The Ministry of Women and Child Development in and marketing. With the help of this module, the collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs plans linkages with the industry will be synergised better to to set up 10 ‘One-Stop Centres’ (OSCs) across nine enable seamless procurement from production units. countries to provide integrated comprehensive support to Indian women affected by violence in public or APRIL private places. Selected countries include , Bahrain, Canada, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Singapore, Saudi STARTUP INDIA SEED FUND LAUNCHED Arabia, and the UAE. Each country will have one center, Union Minister for except Saudi Arabia which will have two centers. Commerce and Industry, The OSCs assist women affected with violence with Piyush Goyal launched immediate emergency response and rescue services, the Startup India Seed medical assistance, aid women in filing FIR, psychological Fund Scheme (SISFS) on or counseling support, legal assistance, shelter facility April 19. The Fund aims such as stay homes, video conferencing facility along with to provide financial free police and court proceedings, etc. assistance to startups for OSCs are formed under the National Mission for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, Empowerment of Women and are funded by the Nirbhaya market entry and commercialization. Fund. They were recommended by the Usha Mehra An amount of 945 crore rupees corpus will be divided over Commission in February 2013 following the Nirbhaya the next 4 years for providing seed funding to eligible gangrape in December 2012. Currently, 700 OSCs are startups through eligible incubators across India. The operational in India and 300 more OSCs are to be set up scheme is expected to support an estimated 3,600 across the country in 2021. startups through 300 incubators. GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 7

THREE NEW INITIATIVES OF NIXI LAUNCHED NOW A UNIQUE NUMBER FOR ALL LAND PLOTS The Central Government plans to issue a 14-digit identification number “Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN)” to every plot of land in the country within a year’s time. It will subsequently integrate its land records database with revenue court records and bank records, as well as Aadhaar numbers on a voluntary basis. The ULPIN scheme has been launched in ten States this year and will be rolled out across the country by March 2022.

The ULPIN will be just like the “Aadhaar for land”, a Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology number that would uniquely identify every surveyed unveiled three path breaking initiatives for National parcel of land and prevent land fraud, especially in the Internet Exchange of India, NIXI. These initiatives are IP hinterlands of rural India, where land records are Guru, NIXI Academy and NIXI-IP-INDEX. outdated and often disputed. The identification will be The IP Guru is a group to extend support to all the Indian based on the longitude and latitude coordinates of the entities who are finding it technically challenging to migrate and adopt Internet Protocol version, IPv6. The NIXI Academy land parcel, and will be supplemented by detailed surveys has been created to educate technical and non-technical people and geo-referenced cadastral (land record) maps in India about technologies like IPv6 which will lead to better management of Internet resources in the country. ‘ANAMAYA’ INITIATIVE FOR TRIBAL HEALTH The NIXI-IP-INDEX portal will showcase IPv6 adoption rate in The Government launched on April 7 the Tribal Health India and across the world. Collaborative ‘Anamaya’, a multi-stakeholder initiative

to converge efforts of various government agencies and MISSION ‘AAHAAR KRANTI’ FOR NUTRITION organizations to enhance the health and nutrition status Government launched Aahaar Kranti, a mission of the tribal communities of India. dedicated to spread awareness about nutrition. It is The initiative has been launched in association with Bill designed to address the peculiar problem of hunger and and Melinda Gates Foundation and Piramal Foundation. diseases despite abundance, being faced by India and It aims at enhancing the health and nutrition eco-system the world. The movement proposes to address the of the tribal communities of India. Later on, efforts will be problem by working to rouse the people to the values made to set up the National Council on Tribal Health and and richness of India’s traditional diet, to the healing a Tribal Health Cell to monitor healthcare needs in the powers of local fruits and vegetables and to the miracles tribal areas as well as implement the Tribal Health Action of a balanced diet. Plan.. Studies show that India produces as much as two times the amount of calories it consumes. However, many in the MANAS APP TO PROMOTE WELLBEING country are still malnourished. The root cause of this MANAS App launched to promote wellbeing across all strange phenomenon is a lack of nutritional awareness. age groups. MANAS stands for Mental Health and Keeping this in mind, Aahaar Kranti has been launched Normalcy Augmentation System. It has been endorsed with the motto of Uttam Aahaar- Uttam Vichaar or Good as a national program by the Prime Minister’s Science, Diet-Good Thought. Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council. It is a comprehensive, scalable, and national digital wellbeing “SANKALP SE SIDDHI” DRIVE LAUNCHED platform. TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development The application integrates the health and wellness efforts Federation of India) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs of various government ministries, scientifically validated launched “Sankalp se Siddhi” - Village and Digital indigenous tools with gamified interfaces developed by Connect Drive. It is a 100-day drive starting from April various national bodies and research institutions. 1 under which150 teams (10 in each region from TRIFED and State Implementation Agencies/Mentoring Agencies/Partners) will visit ten villages each. The main aim of this drive is to activate the Van Dhan Vikas Kendras in these villages. The teams will also identify tribal artisans and other groups and empanel them as suppliers so that they can have access to larger markets through the Tribes India network – both, physical outlets and online stores. It is expected that Sankalp Se Siddhi will aid in effecting a complete transformation of the tribal ecosystem across the country. GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 8

‘SARTHAQ’ TO PROMOTE SCHOOL EDUCATION INDIA's BIGGEST FLOATING SOLAR PLANT India's biggest floating solar power plant with a capacity of 100 MW is being set up by the NTPC at its Ramagundam thermal power plant reservoir in Telangana. The project is expected to be completed by May this year. The solar panels will cover 450-acre area of the reservoir. NTPC's efforts to set up floating solar power projects is aimed at reducing its carbon footprints and accelerating its green energy production to 30 percent of its capacity.

ONLINE COMPLAINT PORTAL FOR SCS Government has launched an online Grievance Management Portal of the National Commission for

Government released an implementation plan for school Scheduled Castes to facilitate online filing of complaints. education under National Education Policy 2020, called The portal will enable victims to file their application ''Students'' and Teachers'' Holistic Advancement and other atrocity and services related grievances through Quality Education (SARTHAQ)''. Developed by online and to get them addressed in a time bound the Department of School Education and Literacy, it is manner. an indicative and suggestive implementation plan for The National Commission for Scheduled Castes is a school education. constitutional body established with a view to provide SARTHAQ will pave the way for children to meet the safeguards against the exploitation of Scheduled Castes. diverse national and global challenges of the present and Vijay Sampla is the current chairman of the Commission. the future. It would benefit all stakeholders including 25 crore students, 15 lakh schools, 94 lakh teachers. APP TO HELP IN LEARNING SANSKRIT A mobile application called “Little Guru” launched to ‘E-SANTA’ TO PROMOTE MARINE PRODUCTS enable the user to learn Sanskrit, the ancient language of Government launched the e-SaNta platform for the country, often called the ‘Language of the Gods’. The promotion of marine products and for empowering app has been developed by the Indian council for farmers as they will be able to sell their products cultural relations (ICCR) and produced by Bengaluru- through this portal. The term eSaNta stands for based GamappSportsWizz Tech Pvt Ltd. It is available on “Electronic Solution for Augmenting NaCSA Farmers Google Play Store.

Trade in Aquaculture". TAX CONCESSION ON SCRAPPAGE OF VEHICLES The portal will revolutionise traditional aqua farming by Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways has proposed providing a cashless, contactless and digital trade up to 25 percent tax concession on the purchase of new platform between farmers, exporters and domestic vehicles on submission of scrappage certificate. Under markets. It will act as a digital bridge for ending the the draft rules, people will get 25 percent concession on market divide and will provide an alternative marketing the purchase of personal vehicles with vehicle tool between the farmers and buyers by eliminating the scrappage certificate while on the purchase of middlemen. commercial vehicles, the tax relief will be 15 percent. In

case of personal vehicles, the tax concessions will be “MADHUKRANTI” LAUNCHED FOR HONEY available up to eight years while for commercial Government launched Madhukranti (Honey Revolution) vehicles, it will be up to 15 years. Portal and Honey Corners by NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation) on April 7 to promote the honey mission in the country. The Portal has been developed for online registration to achieve the traceability source of honey as well as other beehive products on the digital platform. The Honey Corners are special offline spaces earmarked in over 200 NAFED stores for facilitating the sale of honey. The portal is an initiative of the National Bee Board under the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission. Indian Bank is the technical and banking partner for the development of the digital platform. It will also help in checking the quality and the source of adulteration of honey.

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 9

FDI RAISED TO 74% IN INSURANCE ECONOMY & INDUSTRY The Finance Ministry notified final rules for raising

foreign investment limit to 74 per cent (from 49% MAY earlier) in the insurance sector, which came into effect on May 19, 2021. The new arrangement is expected to F’GRAINS PRODUCTION TO TOUCH NEW HIGH benefit 23 private life insurers, 21 private non-life insurers and 7 specialised private health insurance companies. It is felt that the finalisation of rules will be helpful for the insurance sector to meet capital requirements for pandemic induced expansion needs. Foreign investment up to 26 per cent was permitted in the insurance sector in 2000. Later, in 2015, this limit was raised to 49 per cent. In this year’s budget speech, the limit was raised further to 74 percent.

SHE TO PROMOTE ENTREPRENEURSHIP Tata Communications announced the launch of the 'School of Hope and Empowerment' (S.H.E.) at the 2021

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable released the Third Advance Estimates of Principal Crops Development. S.H.E. is a multi-media, multi-stakeholder for 2020-21. As per the estimates, India is expected to impact communications initiative that aims to inspire at register record foodgrain production of 305.44 million least a million women to realise their dreams of tonnes in the year 2020-21, 7.94 million tonnes higher becoming entrepreneurs. Tata Communications will than the previous high of 297.50 million tonnes create enabling environments for women from achieved during the year 2019-20. marginalised communities to establish themselves as A record production of rice is estimated at 121.46 million entrepreneurs and leaders in their communities. tonnes whereas production of wheat is estimated at a record 108.75 million tonnes. During 2020-21, total pulses production is estimated at 25.58 million tonnes and of oilseeds at 36.57 million tonnes.

INDIA ATTRACTS HIGHEST EVER FDI IN 2020-21 Despite the Corona pandemic and economic slowdown, India attracted the highest ever total Foreign Direct Investment or FDI inflow of $ 81.72 billion during the financial year 2020-21. It is 10% higher than the FDI received last year which was $ 74.39 billion. Among UN PROJECTS INDIA’s GROWTH AT 10.1% states, Gujarat received the highest share, securing 37% A report by the United Nations has projected that the of total FDI, followed by Maharashtra receiving 27% Indian economy will grow at 7.5% in the calendar year share and Karnataka receiving 13% share. 2021. However, it is expected to grow by 10.1% in the In terms of investor countries, Singapore is at the top with year 2022 which will make it the fastest-growing major 29% share, followed by the USA (23%) and economy. However, the report has also cautioned that (9%). Industrywise, Computer Software & Hardware has the country’s growth in 2021 was extremely fragile due emerged as the top sector with around 44% share of the to the second wave of the pandemic. total FDI Equity inflow followed by Construction (Infrastructure) Activities (13%) and Services Sector S&P SLASHES GDP GROWTH RATE TO 9.8% (8%) respectively. The Standard and Poor’s Global Ratings have revised down the GDP growth forecast of India to 9.8% for 2021-22, from 11% announced earlier. The downfall is because of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic which can derail the credit conditions and budding economic recovery of India. “The increasing number of COVID-19 variants infection cases and limited vaccination coverage point towards a peak in infection rate around late June. This peak could have adverse effects on the funding and credit conditions”, the study mentioned. GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 10

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APRIL HSN/SAC CODE MADE MANDATORY From April 1 this year, GST taxpayers having turnover of INDIA TO GROW BY 12.5%: IMF more than 5 crore rupees in the preceding financial year will have to furnish 6 digits Harmonised System of Nomenclature HSN Code, or Service Accounting Code, SAC on the invoices issued for supplies of taxable goods and services. Those with turnover of up to ₹5 crore in the preceding financial year, would be required to mandatorily furnish four-digit HSN code on B2B invoices. Six digits HSN codes for goods have been developed by the World Customs Organisation and are universally common. Therefore, common HSN codes apply to Customs

and GST. HSN search facility is available on the GST The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its latest portal. World Economic Outlook report has upgraded its For the services, the six-digit SAC codes are issued by CBIC growth projection for India by one per cent to 12.5 per to uniformly classify each service under the applicable cent for the Financial Year 2021-22. As per the report, rate of GST. Each service has a unique SAC. the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and vast sums of government aid will accelerate global economic growth to a record high this year in a powerful rebound from the pandemic recession. BANKING & FINANCE

For the year ended March 2021, it has projected a contraction of 8 percent while for next year (2022-23), MAY

growth is expected to be around 6.9 percent. RBI IMPOSES Rs. 10 Cr. FINE ON HDFC BANK ADB PROJECTS INDIA’S GROWTH AT 11% RBI imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 10 crore on HDFC The Asian Development Bank, Manila released its Bank on May 28 for violation of provisions under flagship report Asian Development Outlook 2021 on various sections of the Banking Regulation Act. The April 28. As per the report Indian economy is projected action was taken on the basis of deficiencies found in to grow at 11 per cent in the current financial year regulatory compliance of provisions of section 6(2) and (2021-22) amid the "strong" vaccine drive. However, section 8 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. Section 8 the recent surge in Covid cases may put the country's of the Banking Regulation Act states that a bank cannot economic recovery at "risk". directly or indirectly deal with buying, selling, or bartering of goods. INDIAN GDP TO GROW BY 7.5 TO 12.5% The penalty was imposed following a complaint that the The latest South Asia Economic Focus report released Bank forced its customers to purchase a vehicle tracking by the World Bank says that India's economy has device for four years. This was in contravention of the bounced back amazingly from the COVID-19 pandemic above-mentioned sections of the Banking Regulations Act and nationwide lockdown over the last year, but it is not that prohibit banks from indulging in non-financial out of the woods yet. businesses. The slowdown was caused by a decline in private consumption growth and shocks to the financial sector, RBI TRANSFERS Rs. 99 BILLION TO GOVT which compounded pre-existing weaknesses in Reserve Bank decided to transfer Rs 99,122 crore as investment. The report has predicted that the country's surplus to Centre for nine months ended March 31, real GDP growth for fiscal year 2021-22 could range from 2021. The decision was taken at the Central Board 7.5 to 12.5 per cent. meeting under the chairmanship of RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das. It may be noted that the Reserve Bank's accounting year has changed from this year to April-March from earlier July-June. The RBI also approved a Rs 1,76,000 crore ($24.8 billion) dividend payment to the government, including Rs 1,48,000 crore for FY20. RBI earns via interest income on account of open market operations (OMOs), foreign exchange (FX) gains, and writing back of excess risk provisions. GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 12

PPIs CAN WITHDRAW THROUGH ATMs/POS APRIL

RBI RETAINS REPO RATE AT 4 PERCENT The Reserve Bank held the first bi-monthly meeting of its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) in the current financial year on April 7. Concerned over the fresh Covid wave and elevated food inflation, the MPC decided to keep the benchmark interest rate - Repo Rate unchanged at 4 percent. Consequently, the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate would

remain unchanged at 4.25 per cent. The reverse repo Now money kept in various online wallets like Amazon rate will also continue to be at 3.35 percent. pay, Ola money, Mobikwik, Phone pe, Delhi Metro Card This is the fifth time in a row that the MPC has decided to etc. can be withdrawn using an ATM or PoS (Point of keep the policy rate unchanged. The RBI had last revised Sale Terminal). In a notification issued on May 19, its policy rate on May 22, 2020. The central bank has Reserve Bank of India permitted all non-bank payment prepaid instruments (PPIs) to provide this service for retained a growth projection of 10.5 per cent for the cash withdrawal of up to Rs. 2,000 per transaction with current financial year as was estimated in its February bi- maximum limit of Rs. 10,000 per month. However, for monthly policy. all such transactions, using card or wallet PIN or other additional authentication will be mandatory. INFLATION TARGET FOR RBI RETAINED AT 4%

RBI JOINS SUPERVISORS NETWORK The Reserve Bank of India joined the Central Banks and Supervisors Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS), Paris as a Member. RBI expects to benefit from the membership of NGFS by learning from and contributing to global efforts on Green Finance which has assumed significance in the context of climate change. The NGFS is a group of Central banks and supervisors willing to share the best practices and contribute to the development of the environment and climate risk management in the financial sector, while mobilising mainstream finance to support the transition towards a The government has decided to keep the inflation- sustainable economy. The System was launched at the targeting framework for the RBI unchanged for the next Paris One Planet Summit in December 2017. five-year period beginning 1 April, 2021. The inflation mandate requires RBI to keep inflation at 4%, with a 2 IDBI LAUNCHES DIGITAL LOAN PROCESSING percentage point leeway on either side. This was IDBI Bank launched its fully digitised, end-to-end, Loan announced by Tarun Bajaj, Economic Affairs Secretary Processing System (LPS) for its MSME and Agri in the Finance Ministry. The inflation target is reviewed borrowers. This new system seamlessly integrates all every five years. the essential steps of loan processing, right from application to processing, appraisal, assessment, RBI FIXES TENURE OF BANK HEADS sanction, documentation and disbursal. The Reserve Bank has capped the tenure of Managing Director and Chief Executive (MD & CEO) of commercial banks to a maximum of 15 years. The same limit will also be applicable to whole time directors. Further, the MD & CEO or WTD who is also a promoter/ major shareholder, cannot hold these posts for more than 12 years. The upper age limit for MD & CEO and WTDs in private banks has been retained at 70 years. The revised instructions will be applicable to all the Private Sector Banks including Small Finance Banks (SFBs) and wholly owned subsidiaries of Foreign Banks. However, it will not be applicable to foreign banks operating as branches in India.

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 13

RBI RESTRICTS AMEX AND DINERS CLUB RBI’s REGULATIONS REVIEW AUTHORITY The Reserve Bank has decided to set up a new Regulations Review Authority (RRA 2.0) from May 1, 2021, to review the regulations, circulars, reporting systems and compliance procedures of the central bank for streamlining them and making them more effective and efficient. The RRA headed by M Rajeshwar Rao, Deputy Governor, will have a time frame of one year.

POs MAY OPEN ‘ZERO BALANCE’ ACCOUNTS The government has amended the Post Office Savings Account Scheme rules to allow certain people to open

zero balance basic savings accounts with the post office. Reserve Bank of India imposed restrictions on American Currently, post office savings accounts come with a Express Banking Corp and Diners Club International minimum balance requirement that must be maintained Limited from adding new customers to their card mandatorily. networks from 1st of May, 2021 for non-compliance of As per a notification by the Ministry of Finance dated RBI’s directions regarding mandatory storage of April 9, a basic savings account (or zero balance customer data within systems in India. The apex bank account) with the post office can be opened by an clarified that the order will not impact existing individual (a) who is a registered adult member of any customers. government welfare scheme and (b) by the guardian of Both the companies are Payment System Operators a minor whose name is registered for any government authorised to operate card networks in the country under benefit. the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 (PSS Act). In April 2018, all payment system operators were directed by RBI to ensure that within a period of six months the entire data (full end-to-end transaction details/information collected/carried/processed as part of the message/payment instruction) relating to payment systems operated by them is stored in a system only in India.

At present, banks allow customers to open zero balance RBI PANEL TO REVIEW WORKING OF ARCs accounts. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed The Reserve Bank constituted a six-member panel to banks to open zero balance accounts under Jan-Dhan carry out a comprehensive review of the working of Yojana scheme/Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs) in the financial (BSBDA). sector ecosystem. The panel will be headed by former Executive Director of RBI, Sudarshan Sen. MAX. BALANCE HIKED IN PAYMENT BANKS ARC is a specialized financial institution that buys the The Reserve Bank has enhanced the limit of maximum NPAs or bad assets from banks and financial institutions balance at end of the day maintained in individual at a mutually agreed value and attempts to recover the customers’ accounts in Payments Bank to Rs 2 lakh debts or associated securities by itself. The ARCs are from Rs. one lakh earlier. The step has been taken to registered under the RBI and regulated under the encourage the efforts of Payments Bank for promoting SARFAESI Act, 2002. financial inclusion and to expand their ability to cater to the needs of a wide base of their customers, including MSMEs, small traders and merchants.

RBI TO PUBLISH FINANCIAL INCLUSION INDEX The Reserve Bank has decided to bring out a Financial Inclusion Index (FI Index) that will gauge the extent of financial inclusion in the country. It will attempt to measure the extent of broadening and deepening of financial inclusion in the country. The index based on multiple parameters will be published in July every year for the financial year ending previous March. Financial Inclusion refers to ensuring last mile delivery, particularly in the unbanked areas. GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 14

AFA MADE MANDATORY FROM OCTOBER 1 DEFENCE, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

MAY

PYTHON-5 MISSILE TESTED SUCCESSFULLY India's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Tejas added 5th generation Python-5 Air-to-Air Missile (AAM) in its air-to-air weapons capability on April 27. The maiden trial of the Python-5 missile was conducted by DRDO in Goa.

From October 1, 2021, there will be no automatic Developed by the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems of recurring payment through cards or for various Israel, Python-5 is the most accurate and reliable AAM of services, including recharge and utility bill, as RBI has the Israeli Air Force and one of the most sophisticated made Additional Factor of Authentication (AFA) guided missiles in the world. mandatory after September 30. However, banks and payment gateways are seeking additional time to INDIAN NAVY SAYS ‘GOODBYE’ TO INS RAJPUT comply with the RBI directive on automatic recurring payment. Last year, on December 4, RBI had directed all banks including RRBs, NBFCs, and payment gateways that the processing of recurring transactions (domestic or cross- border) using cards or Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs) or Unified Payments Interface (UPI) under arrangements/practices not compliant with AFA would not be continued beyond March 31, 2021.

Under the new norms, banks will be required to inform INS Rajput, the first destroyer of the Indian Navy, was customers in advance about recurring payment due and finally decommissioned on May 21 at Visakhapatnam transactions would be carried following nod from the Dockyard, putting an end to a glorious era of customer. So the transaction would not be automatic but outstanding services. INS Rajput, the lead ship of the would be done after authentication from the customer. Kashin-class destroyers built by the erstwhile USSR was

“PAYTM WEALTH COMMUNITY” LAUNCHED commissioned on 04 May 1980 and has rendered yeoman service to the Indian Navy for over 41 years. It India’s leading digital financial services provider Paytm was the first Indian Naval Ship to be affiliated with an launched on April 26 India’s first video-based wealth Indian Army regiment – the Rajput Regiment. community called the “Paytm Wealth Community”. It is an investing community based on video, and “will INDIA TO GET 6 MORE P-81 AIRCRAFTS enable users to attend live sessions conducted by The U.S. government approved the proposed sale of six subject matter experts across an array of wealth topics P-8I patrol aircraft and related equipment on April 30. like Stocks, F&O, IPO, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Gold, Fixed The deal is estimated to cost $2.42 billion. The aircrafts Income, and Personal Finance”. will be part of the 312A Naval Air Squadron based at Users will be able to learn from experts, interact with Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu. The Indian Navy already has them to clarify doubts, and also chat with other users on nine P-81 aircrafts in operation. the platform to discuss various wealth-related topics. The P-8I based on the Boeing 737 commercial aircraft is the world's most advanced surveillance aircraft and India was its first international customer in December, 2012. The order for procurement of the long-range maritime surveillance aircraft was approved by the Defence Acquisition Council in Nov 2019.

Indian and Indonesian navies carried out a military drill 'Passage' exercise (PASSEX) in the Southern Arabian Sea on May 8 with a focus on further improving their interoperability.

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The first batch of women military police comprising 83 CHINA - REMOTE SENSING SATELLITE soldiers was inducted into the Army on May 8 at an China successfully sent a new remote sensing satellite, attestation parade held at the Corps of Military Police Yaogan-34, into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre and School in Bengaluru. Center in northwest China on April 30. The optical remote sensing satellite will be used for the survey of CHINA’s OCEAN-MONITORING SATELLITE land resources, urban planning, the confirmation of land rights, road network design, crop yield estimation, and disaster prevention and reduction

WORLD’s FIRST AI BASED SHIP A team of researchers from the marine research organization ProMare in collaboration with IBM built the world’s first AI ship, the ‘Mayflower 400’. The unmanned 15-mt -long trimaran that weighs nine tons is a completely autonomous ship. The ship is set to sail on a transatlantic voyage to track aquatic mammals,

China successfully sent a new ocean-monitoring satellite analyze plastic in the water, and study marine pollution. Haiyang-2D (HY-2D) into orbit on May 19 as part of its The ship is powered by Artificial Intelligence and the effort to build an all-weather and round-the-clock Sun’s energy via solar panels. dynamic ocean environment monitoring system which would provide early warning on marine disasters. The NASA’s ROVER CREATES OXYGEN ON MARS HY-2D will form a constellation with the HY-2B and HY- 2C satellites to build an all-weather and round-the-clock dynamic ocean environment monitoring system.

CHINA’s ROVER ZHURONG LANDS ON MARS China succeeded for the first time in landing a spacecraft on Mars on May 15. The six-wheeled rover Zhurong robot landed in Utopia Planitia, a vast terrain in the planet's northern hemisphere. The vehicle used a combination of a protective capsule, a parachute and a rocket platform to make the successful descent. NASA’s Perseverance rover has successfully created, for The lander was launched from China under mission the first time, oxygen from the thin atmospheric carbon Tianwen-1 on July 23, 2020. After 7 months of transit, it dioxide present on Mars. The Mars Oxygen In-Situ entered orbit around Mars on February 10, 2021. Resource Utilization Experiment (MOXIE) aboard the Until now only the Americans have been able to land on rover on Mars carried out the experiment on 20 April, Mars. All other countries that have tried have either which was a technology demonstration. crashed or lost contact soon after reaching the surface. MOXIE extracts carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, Currently, America’s rover Perseverance is already which makes up about 96 per cent of the wispy air operational on Mars. blanket around Mars. It then separates oxygen atoms from carbon dioxide molecules, releasing carbon CHINA TO COLLECT SPACE DEBRIS monoxide as a byproduct.

China launcheda robot prototype named ‘NEO-01’, in the Earth’s low orbit, on board its Long March 6 rocket. APRIL The 30kg robot will use a large net to capture debris left behind by other spacecrafts and then burn it using its WORLD’s FIRST EXPLOSIVE TRACE DETECTOR electric propulsion system. India has developed the world's first micro-sensor based explosive trace detector (ETD), using a micro- electromechanical system (MEMS), called NanoSniffer. It provides trace detection of the nano-gram quantity of explosives, and delivers results in seconds. It can detect explosives in less than 10 seconds and also identifies and categorizes explosives into different classes. The core technology of NanoSniffer is protected by patents in the U.S. and Europe. The device will reduce India’s dependency on imported explosive trace detector devices. GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 16

INDIA TOOK PART IN ‘LA PEROUSE’ DRILL India and the US held a two-day naval PASSEX exercise on March 28-29 in the Bay of Bengal. For the first time, Indian Air Force fighters also took part in the exercise to practice air interception and air defence with the US Navy.

The Pakistan Army successfully test-fired a nuclear- capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile Shaheen-1A on March 26. It has a range of 900 kilometers.

DEBRIS FOUND OF INDONESIAN The Indonesian navy submarine ‘KRI Nanggala (402)’, that went missing on 21 April, 2021, in the waters off The Indian Navy participated in a -led multi the coast of Bali Island, is reported to have been found nation naval drill named “La Perouse”, from April 5 to 7 split into three pieces on the sea bed, at a depth of 850 in the Bay of Bengal. meters. All the 53 crew aboard the submarine have The participating nations also included the Quadrilateral been confirmed dead. Security Dialogue (QUAD) member countries namely Australia, Japan and the USA. India participated in this WORLD’s FIRST: WATER FROM AIR exercise for the first time. Maithri Aquatech, a Visakhapatnam based company has set up the 'World's First Mobile Water from Air Kiosk VARUNA-2021: The 19th edition of the Indian and and Water Knowledge Centre' in the smart city of French Navy bilateral exercise was held in the Arabian Visakhapatnam. Sea from April 25 to 27. The exercise involved high tempo-naval operations at sea, including advanced air defence and anti-submarine exercises.

Khanjar: The 8th Indo-Kyrgyz Joint Special Forces Exercise “Khanjar” was inaugurated at the Special Forces Brigade of National Guards of the Kyrgyz Republic in Bishkek, the capital of the host Kyrgyzstan on April 16.

ShantirOgroshena: India participated in a 10-day The kiosk will provide clean, mineral-enriched potable multinational military exercise held in Bangladesh. The water harvested from the air with no dependency on armed forces of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka scarce groundwater as well as surface water resources. along with observers from the US, UK, and Saudi The water generated meets the WHO as well as Indian Arabia participated in the multilateral UN-mandated Standards of potable water. counterterrorism exercise from April 4 to 12. CHINA NAMES ITS MARS ROVER AS “ZHURONG” Vajra Prahar 2021: The 11th edition of Indo-US joint China has named its first-ever Mars rover as “Zhurong” special forces exercise was conducted at Special Forces after an ancient fire god. The rover is slated to make a training school located at Bakloh, in Himachal Pradesh landing attempt on the Red Planet in May this year. The in March, 2021. The exercise aimed at sharing best rover has six wheels and four solar panels and carries practices and experiences in areas such as joint mission six scientific instruments. It weighs over 200 kg and will planning and operational tactics. work for about three months on the planet. China National Space Administration had successfully launched its first Mars probe in July, 2020.

FIRST HELICOPTER FLIGHT OVER A PLANET NASA's Mars helicopter named ‘Ingenuity’ made history with a successful flight on the Red Planet. The miniature robotic helicopter performed a successful take off and landing on Mars on April 19. The 1.8-kg twin-rotor helicopter hovered around 3 meter above the surface, performing its maiden 40-second flight as planned. This is the first powered, controlled flight by an aircraft over the surface of another planet.

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 17

APRIL

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

LEADERS CLIMATE SUMMIT HOSTED BY USA MAY US President Joe Biden hosted a two-day Leaders

WHO TO START FIRST BIOHUB FACILITY Climate Summit of world leaders on the Earth Day, April 22 to address the global climate crisis. The virtual summit was joined by 40 heads of government, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He announced a India- US partnership on clean energy and climate change. The summit’s theme was “Our Collective Sprint to 2030”. It aimed at promoting efforts by the major economies to reduce greenhouse gas emission and meet the targets of the Paris Agreement to keep temperature rise to well below 2 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels by the

The World Health Organization (WHO) and Switzerland end of the century. signed a memorandum of understanding to launch the First WHO Biohub Facility. It will allow convenient rapid BLUE NATURE ALLIANCE TO SAVE OCEANS sharing of viruses and other pathogens between laboratories and global partners. It will be installed in Spiez, Switzerland. Under this agreement, the Spez Biocontainment Laboratory will be made available to the WHO and the lab will serve as a repository for the Sars-CoV-2 virus or other pathogens with epidemic or pandemic potential.

G7 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET IN The meeting of the foreign ministers of the Group of Seven countries - G-7 was held in London on May 4-5.

The group of the most advanced economies of the world discussed what it called as the biggest current threats: Some leading not-for -profit environmental and social China, and the coronavirus pandemic. Foreign organisations have come together to form the Blue Ministers from hosts Britain, plus the United States, Nature Alliance. It is a global partnership with five core France, , Italy, Canada and Japan met for the partners: Conservation International, The Global first time in person in two years. Environment Facility, the Pew Charitable Trusts, Minderoo Foundation and Rob and Melani Walton WORLD’s LARGEST ICEBERG FORMED Foundation. The European Space Agency has informed that the Launched on April 20, it has raised $125 million to protect Iceberg A-76 calved from the western side of the Ronne the ocean from environmental threats. The Alliance is Ice Shelf in Antarctica and is now floating on the currently working with governments and other partners Weddell Sea, some 2,000 km south of southern tip of on large-scale efforts in Fiji’s Lau Seascape, Antarctica’s Chile. The broken iceberg, reported to be the largest till Southern Ocean, and Tristan da Cunha to collectively date, measured around 170 kilometers in length and 25 secure protections for over 4.8 million square kilometres kilometers in width, spreading over 4320 sq kms. It is of the ocean. larger than the Long Island in New York and half the size of . SINGAPORE FIRST TO RATIFY RCEP Icebergs are formed when a large piece of ice breaks off Singapore became the first country on April 9 to from the ice shelves or the glaciers and starts floating in complete the official process for ratification of the the open water. Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement. The trade pact, which is the world’s largest, was signed by all 10 ASEAN members and five key partners including China, , Japan, Australia and at the 4th RCEP leaders’ summit in November 2020. The RCEP Agreement will come into force 60 days after six ASEAN member states and three ASEAN FTA partners decide to ratify the Agreement. GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 18

JAPAN’s PASSPORT IS BEST IN THE WORLD PERSONS IN NEWS

MAY

Ms. Jacinda Ardern: Prime Minister of New Zealand secured the top spot-on Fortune magazine's list of the world's 50 greatest leaders. The annual list published on May 14 praised Ardern’s leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as her “world-leading climate and gender-equity policies”.

Sir David Attenborough: The 95-year-old renowned English broadcaster and natural historian has been

named as the “People’s Advocate” of the UN Climate The Henley Passport Index on April 15 released its list Change Conference (COP26), which is scheduled to be of the most travel-friendly passports. The Index held in Glasgow, Scotland in November 2021, under the measures the world’s most powerful passports on the Chairmanship of the . Attenborough’s basis of the number of countries their holders can visit role will be to inspire people to act on climate change without a prior visa. It is based on data from the and protect the planet for future generations. International Air Transport Association-IATA. India stands at number 84 in the list, as the Indian Kami Rita: 51-year-old Sherpa guide scaled Mount citizens can visit Visa Free or Visa-on-Arrival in over 58 Everest for the 25th time on May 7, breaking his own places. The Index is topped by Japan, enjoying visa free record for the most ascents of the world’s highest peak. access to 193 countries, followed by Singapore – 192 Rita first scaled Everest in 1994. Expertise and skills of countries. Sherpa guides are vital to the safety and success of the The weakest passport belongs to Afghanistan as it affords hundreds of climbers who dare to scale the 8,849-meter visa on arrival facility in only 26 countries while Pakistani (29,032-foot) mountain peak. passport is slightly better as its holders are allowed visa on arrival option in 32 countries. APRIL

The Great Khali: India’s one-time World Heavyweight US EXPELS 10 RUSSIAN DIPLOMATS Champion has been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame The US administration announced the expulsion of 10 as part of the 2021 class. Standing 7’1″ tall, Khali’s Russian diplomats on April 15. It also announced official name is Dalip Singh Rana. He is the first Indian sanctions against nearly three dozen people and world champion in WWE. He made his professional companies as it moved to hold Russia accountable for wrestling debut in 2000. interference in last year’s Presidential election and the hacking of Federal agencies. The actions represent the first retaliatory measures announced against the APPOINTMENTS Kremlin for the hack, familiarly known as the SolarWinds breach. MAY

It is alleged that Russian hackers infected widely used software with malicious code, enabling them to access Subodh Kumar Jaiswal: The 1985-batch IPS officer of the networks of at least nine agencies in what U.S. Maharashtra cadre, has been appointed as the next officials believe was an intelligence-gathering operation regular Director of the CBI by the Appointments aimed at mining government secrets. Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).

PUTIN TO REMAIN PRESIDENT TILL 2036 The President of Russia Vladimir Putin gave his final approval on April 5 to the constitutional legislation that allows him to hold office for two additional 6yrs terms. It gives him the possibility to stay in power till 2036. The 68-years old President has already been in power for more than two decades. Currently he is serving his fourth Presidential term that will continue till end 2024. The new provisions were overwhelmingly backed by the Russians in a vote in July 2020. The Parliament also approved the bill in March 2021.

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 19

Himanta Biswa Sarma: Elected as the new chief Penpa Tsering: A former Speaker of the Tibetan minister of Assam, replacing the current incumbent Parliament-in-Exile, has been elected as the new Sarbanand Sonowal. President of the Central Tibetan Administration, elected Parliamentary government of Tibet, based in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.

Moctar Ouane: Re-appointed as the Prime Minister of Mali, a landlocked country in West Africa

Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli: Re-appointed as Nepal's care taker Prime Minister on May 14.

APRIL

Justice NV Ramana: Appointed as the 48th Chief Justice of India by the President Ram Nath Kovind. He will take oath on April 24 and will have a tenure of around 16 months. MK Stalin: President of the Dravida MunnetraKazhagam party was sworn in as the new Sushil Chandra: The senior-most Election Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu by the state Governor Commissioner was appointed as the Chief Election Banwarilal Purohit. Commissioner of India by the President of India. He succeeds Sunil Arora who demitted office on April 13. N Rengasamy: The NR Congress Chief was sworn in as the Chief Minister of UT of Puducherry by the Lt. S Ramann: Appointed as the Chairman and Managing Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan. Director of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) for a period of three years. Headquarters of T Rabi Sankar: Appointed as the Deputy Governor of SIDBI are in Lucknow, UP. the RBI for a period of three years, by the Appointments Committee of the Union Cabinet. Sankar was Executive Tarun Bajaj: Appointed as the new Revenue Secretary Director of the RBI before being elevated to the post of under the Ministry of Finance. Prior to this, he was the Deputy Governor. Economic Affairs Secretary since April 30, 2020. He filled the vacancy created after the retirement of BP Ajay Seth: Appointed as the new Economic Affairs Kanungo on April 2. The other three Deputy Governors Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, in place of Tarun are Michael D Patra, Mukesh Kumar Jain and Rajeshwar Bajaj. Rao. Mallika Srinivasan: Appointed as the Chairperson of Jose J Kattoor: Appointed as the Executive Director Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) by the (ED) of the Reserve Bank of India by the RBI. Prior to Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. Currently, she being promoted as ED, Kattoor was heading Bengaluru is Chairperson and Managing Director of Tractors and Regional Office of the Reserve Bank as Regional Director Farm Equipment (TAFE) Limited. for Karnataka. This is for the first time that a specialist from the private T V Somanathan: Appointed as the new Finance sector has been appointed as the head of the PESB, a body Secretary by the Appointments Committee of the responsible for the appointment of top management posts Cabinet. in the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).

Amitabh Chaudhry: Re-appointed as the Managing Soma Mondal: Chairperson of the state-owned Steel Director and Chief Executive Officer of Axis Bank. Authority of India Limited (SAIL), has been elected as the new chairperson of the Standing Conference of Bashar Al-Assad: Re-elected as the President of Syria Public Enterprises (SCOPE). after winning the election for the fourth time. Assad, 55, SCOPE is an apex professional organization representing has been President of the war-torn country since 2000. the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). Guillermo Lasso: Sworn in as the President of Ecuador, Rekha M Menon: Chairperson of IT firm Accenture becoming the country’s first right-wing leader in the last India, appointed as chairperson of the National 14 years. Association of Software and Services Companies Anatole Collinet Makosso: Appointed by the President (NASSCOM), becoming the first woman to take the top as the new prime minister of Republic of Congo, a small role in the software lobby group’s 30-year history. country in western central Africa. Miguel Díaz-Canel: Appointed as the new President of It may be noted that a much bigger country on its eastern Cuba, a tiny island country in the Caribbean Sea. He is side is Democratic Republic of Congo. also the chief of the Cuban Communist Party. GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 20

He is the first person without the surname Castro to run Rudolf V Schindler Award: Padma Bhushan awardee Cuba since the 1959 revolution. His predecessor Raul and noted gastroenterologist Dr D Nageshwar Reddy, Castro stepped down on April 17. who is also the chairman of AIG Hospitals, was selected for this esteemed award by the American Society of Guillermo Lasso: Won Ecuador’s presidential Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. It is the highest category in elections. 65-year-old Lasso is a former banker and a the prestigious Crystal Awards named after Dr Schindler business tycoon. who is considered as “the father of gastroscopy.”

Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou: Appointed as the new International Invincible Gold Medal: Conferred on Prime Minister of Niger, a land-locked country north of Union Education Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank , in Africa. for his extraordinary commitment and outstanding Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu: She has been elected to a five- service to humanity through his writings, social and year term as the President of Kosovo by its Parliament. illustrious public life. The award is given at global level by the Maharshi Organisation Worldwide, Netherland. Pham Minh Chinh: ’s National Assembly confirmed Chinh’s appointment as the country’s next Whitley Awards 2021: Y Nuklu Phom, Prime Minister. notedconservationist from Nagaland is one of the seven winners of the prestigious award for conservation. Each Eduard Heger: Appointed as the Prime Minister of awardee will receive a cash prize of 40,000 Pounds. wef April 1, 2021. Slovakia is a small country in The award recognised his efforts in establishing a central Europe.

biodiversity peace corridor in Nagaland to protect the

rare migratory bird Amur falcon. Also known as the AWARDS & HONOURS Green Oscar, the award is given by the UK based charity Whitley Fund for Nature. MAY “Order of Rising Sun”: Third highest civilian award of Lifetime Award in honour of Satyajit Ray Japan The Japanese Government recently awarded to The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has decided Bengaluru based Shyamala Ganesh, a teacher of to institute the “Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Japanese at the Septuagenarian institution and also at Award for Excellence in Cinema” to pay tributes to the the Ohara School of Ikebana in Bengaluru. legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray. World Food Prize 2021: Dr Shakuntala Haraksingh A Bharat Ratna awardee, Ray was born on May 2, 1921. Thilsted, a global nutrition expert of Indian descent, has The award will be given at the International Film Festival won the prestigious prize for her groundbreaking of India (IFFI) every year starting from this year. The research in developing holistic, nutrition-sensitive Award will comprise a cash prize of 10 lakh rupees, a approaches to aquaculture and food systems. 71-year- certificate, Shawl, along with a Silver Peacock medal and old Dr. Thilsted now serves as the Global Lead for a Scroll. Nutrition and Public Health at WorldFish, a global International Eni Award 2020: Bharat Ratna CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agricultural Professor C.N.R. Rao has been honoured with this Research) center headquartered in Malaysia. prestigious global award for his research in renewable The award is given by the World Food Prize Foundation, energy sources and energy storage. Dr. Rao has Iowa, USA. It carries a cash award of $2,50,000. It was honorary doctorates from 60 universities around the founded by the Nobel laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug in world and has authored over 51 books and 1,600 1986 to inspire breakthrough achievements in improving research publications. the quality, quantity and availability of food in the world. The Eni award is also known as the Energy Frontier Dr. Borlaug is regarded as the father of “Green Award and is considered to be the Nobel Prize in Energy Revolution” for inventing high yield disease resistant Research. It is sponsored by Eni - the oil and gas giant of varieties of wheat that almost doubled the food output. Italy. The Eni Award aims to promote better use of energy sources and encourage new generations of Templeton Prize 2021: World’s foremost authority on researchers in their work. Chimpanzees, world-famous conservationist and environmentalist Jane Goodall of UK won the WILD Innovator Award 2021: Dr. Krithi K Karanth, prestigious $1.5 million award. Chief Conservation Scientist at Bengaluru-based Centre It is given annually by the John Templeton Foundation, for Wildlife Studies (CWS), has been chosen as the first Indian and Asian woman for the 2021 WILD Innovator Philadelphia, USA to recognise achievements of people Award. This award given by the ''WILD ELEMENTS “harnessing the power of the sciences to explore the Foundation'' brings together a coalition of innovators, deepest questions of the universe and humankind’s place advocates and partners to identify solutions to global and purpose within it.” sustainability and conservation. GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 21

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 22

Millennium Technology Prize: Awarded to two FILMFARE AWARDS 2021 DECLARED British chemists who developed a super-fast DNA The 66th Filmfare Awards for the year 2020 were given sequencing technique that paved the way for on 28 March in Mumbai to honour artistic and technical revolutionary healthcare advances. Cambridge excellence in Hindi cinema. University professors Shankar Balasubramanian and Best Film: Thappad by Anubhav Sinha David Klenerman will get one million Euro ($1.22 Best Director: Om Raut for Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior million) for their work of over 27 years creating ever Best Actor: Irrfan Khan for Angrezi Medium faster and cheaper ways to sequence the human Best Actress: Taapsee Pannu for Thappad genome. The prize is given once in two years by the Guneet Monga: Acclaimed filmmaker known for Technology Academy, Finland. backing films like “The Lunchbox” and “Masaan”, Billboard 2021 Music Awards: The popular music selected for the French honour the Knight of the Order award show of the USA was held on May 23 in Los of Arts and Letters (Chevalier dans L’Ordre des Arts et Angeles. Canadian singer-songwriter The Weeknd des Lettres). It is the second-highest civilian French dominated the ceremony with 10 awards, including the honour. iconic Top Artist Trophy. His real name is Abel International Ranger Award: Mahinder Giri, range Makkonen Tesfaye. officer of Rajaji Tiger Reserve selected as the only 2020: of won the ranger from Asia to win the prestigious award for his contest held in Hollywood, Los Angeles, USA. contribution towards wildlife conservation. The award

has been announced for 10 professionals across the APRIL world by the International Union for Conservation of

Nature IUCN and World Commission on Protected Areas Saraswati Samman, 2020: Awarded to noted Marathi WCPA. writer Dr SharankumarLimbale for his book ‘Sanatan’. The award carries fifteen lakh rupees, a citation and a OSCARS DECLARED FOR THE YEAR 2020 plaque. The 93rd Academy Awards ceremony, also known as Saraswati Samman, instituted by KK Birla Foun dation in Oscars Awards, was held in Los Angeles, USA on April 1991, is recognised among the most prestigious and 25. The awards are presented annually by the Academy highest literary awards in the country, given in any of the of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). 22 Indian languages. Best Picture: Nomadland by Ms. Chloé Zhao Best Director: Ms. Chloé Zhao (USA) for Nomadland Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2019: Highest film Best Actress in a Leading Role: Frances McDormand for award from the government side has been conferred on Nomadland legendary actor and producer Rajinikant for his vast and Best Actor in a Leading Role: Anthony Hopkins for The rich body of work through the decades. Born to a Father Marathi family in Bengaluru, Rajinikanth’s original name is Shivaji Rao Gaekwad. Though his workplace is BAFTA AWARDS 2021 ANNOUNCED Tamil Nadu, he did his schooling in Bengaluru and spent The 74th edition of the British Academy Film & much of his prime in that city. Television Awards- BAFTA 2021 was held on April 11 at Royal Albert Hall in London in a virtual format due to prevailing pandemic conditions. The top award winners included:

Best Film: Nomadland by Ms. Chloe Zhao, USA Best Director: Ms. Chloe Zhao for Nomadland Best Leading Actress: Frances McDormand for Nomadland Best Leading Actor: Sir Anthony Hopkins for The Father

AM Turing Award 2020: Won by Alfred V. Aho for his research and influential text books on fundamental The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh and a Swarn algorithms and theory underlying programming Kamal (Golden Lotus). Instituted in 1969, the Dadasaheb language implementation. Phalke Award is India’s highest award in cinema. It is Aho is Lawrence Gussman Professor Emeritus of presented annually at the National Film Awards Computer Science at Columbia University, USA. His books Ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals, an have educated generations of computer scientists. The organisation of the Ministry of Information and Turing Award is considered to be the most prestigious Broadcasting. award in computer science.

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 23

Jagannath Pahadia: The first BOOKS & AUTHORS Dalit Chief Minister of Rajasthan (1980-81) succumbed to death MAY due to COVID-19 at the age of 89 on May 19. A four-time member Elephant by Paul Pickering of parliament, he was a union Things We Lost to the Water by Eric Nguyen minister for several years. He The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave also served as a former Ariadne by Jennifer Saint governor of Bihar (1989- 1990) People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry and Haryana (2009-2014). Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon Prof. M S Narasimhan: Distinguished mathematician While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams Padma Bhushan Prof. M S Narasimhan, passed away on Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, Nobel laureate of May 16. He was 88. Famous for the Narasimhan- literature, 2017 Seshadri theorem, he made pioneering contributions to All Time Favourites for Children by Ruskin Bond, a differential & algebraic geometry. He played a key role collection of short stories in the development of Mathematics in India. He was a Sach Kahun Toh (Truly Speaking): Autobiography of recipient of the Bhatnagar Prize in 1975, the Third Neena Gupta, veteran Bollywood actress World Academy Award for Mathematics in 1987, and is India and Asian Geopolitics: The Past, Present by a Fellow of the Royal Society, London. In 2006 he was a Shivshankar Menon, former National Security Adviser recipient of the King Faisal International Prize for and Foreign Secretary Science.

APRIL Raghunandan Lal Bhatia: Congress stalwart,

A Living Mountain by Amitav Ghosh popularly known as RL Bhatia, died of Covid in Amritsar Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri on May 15. He would have turned 101 on July 3. Bhatia The Cursed Inheritance by Sutapa Basu had an illustrious political career as he represented the The Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency six times and also When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain remained a Minister of State for External Affairs. He also served as Governor of Kerala and Bihar. The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth The Hard Crowd by Rachel Kushner Raghunath Mohapatra: Eminent sculptor, architect, Caul Baby by Morgan Jerkins and Rajya Sabha member passed away while Broken by Jenny Lawson undergoing treatment for COVID-19. He was 78. Hailing Names of the Women by Jeet Thayil, renowned author from Odisha, Mohapatra was awarded Padma Shri in best known for his book ‘Narcopolis’ 1975, Padma Bhushan in 2001 and Padma Vibhushan in Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell, award winning US author; 2013 for his pioneering contributions to the world of the novel explores the impact of Shakespear’s son art, architecture and culture. Hamnet’s illness and death, on his family. Ajit Singh: Former Union Minister, founder and current chief of Rashtriya Lok Dal passed away on May 6 losing OBITUARY battle with coronavirus. 82-year-old Singh was a prominent farmer leader and son of former prime MAY minister Chaudhary Charan Singh (1979-80). He was a 7-time MP from Baghpat in western UP and served as a Dr. Srikumar Banerjee: Former Chairman of the union minister on multiple occasions. He was a Atomic Energy Commission and a veteran Nuclear computer scientist by profession and worked for 15 Scientist passed away at the age of 75 on May 23 in Navi years in the US. Mumbai. He also served as the Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Tromby (Mumbai) in 2005-10. Jagmohan (Malhotra): Former Union Minister and He was honoured with Padma Shri in 2005. former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir passed away in New Delhi on May 3 at a ripe age of 93. A civil servant, Sunderlal Bahuguna: Noted Environmentalist and Jagmohan also served as Lieutenant Governor of Delhi pioneer of world famous “Chipko Movement” in 1974 to and Goa. He was nominated to the Rajya Sabha once and save trees, passed away in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand on represented New Delhi in Lok Sabha thrice on a BJP May 21 due to COVID-19 related complications. He was ticket. He served as the Union Minister for 94. Government of India honoured him Padma Shri in Communications, Urban Development, Tourism and 1981 and with Padma Vibhushan in 2009 for his Culture. He was honoured with Padma Shri in 1971, outstanding contributions for environment Padma Bhushan in 1977 and Padma Vibhushan in 2016 conservation. for his outstanding services. GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 24

Pandit Debu Chaudhuri: Renowned Sitar maestro Khan has written over 200 books on several aspects of passed away following COVID-19 related complications. Islam and is best known for having written a He was 85.The Legend of Sitar belonged to the Senia or commentary on the Quran and its translation in English, Gharana style of music. He was honoured with the Hindi and Urdu. He was recipient of several notable honors Padma Bhushan and the Padma Shri. like Padma Vibhushan (2021), Padma Bhushan (2000) and the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavna Award (2009). Rohit Sardana: Renowned TV journalist and news anchor Shankha Ghosh: Eminent Bengali poet passed away on passed away, due to heart April 21loosing his battle against COVID 19. He was 89. attack, following the deadly Considered to be an authority on Rabindranath Tagore, COVID-19 infection. The his famous works include Adim Lata – Gulmomay and young journalist was just 41- Murkha Baro Samajik Nay, among other books. In 2011, year-old. Sardana was he was awarded Padma Bhushan and in 2016 he associated with Zee News received the prestigious Jnanpith Award.

since 2004, before moving to Shashikala: Veteran actress of Hindi cinema passed AajTak in 2017. He was hosting the debate show away at her residence in Mumbai on April 4. She was 88 ‘Dangal’ on the news channel Aaj Tak. years old. More popularly known by her first name, Soli Sorabjee: Former Attorney General, veteran Shashikala, her real name was Shashikala Jawalkar. She lawyer and Padma Vibhushan awardee passed away on acted in over 100 movies. Shashikala was honoured April 30 after getting infected with COVID-19. The 91- with several awards and honours, including the year-old legal luminary Sorabjee held several offices in prestigious Padma Shri in 2007. organizations of national and international repute Prince Philip: British Queen Elizabeth’s husband, died during his long and noted career in the field of law. at the age of 99. He was to mark his 100th birthday on Sorabjee served as the Attorney General of India twice June 10. Officially known as the Duke of Edinburgh, a — from 1989-90 during VP Singh’s Government and Greek prince, he married Princess Elizabeth in 1947, from 1998 to 2004 during the AB Vajpayee government. five years before she became Queen. Manoj Das: A prolific Indian author who wrote in Odia He played a key role in modernising the British monarchy and English languages, passed away on April 27, at the in the post-World War II period. In the closing years, at age of 87 due to age-related ailments. He was conferred the age of 90, the Queen made him the Lord High with Padma Shri in 2001 and Padma Bhushan in 2020 Admiral. In 2017 when he demitted his official duties, the for his contributions in the field of education and Queen awarded him the Royal Victorian Order that made philosophy. His search for mysticism motivated him to him a Knight Grand Cross. become an inmate of Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Puducherry and since 1963, he has been a professor of Philosophy and English Literature there. PLACES IN NEWS

MAY APRIL Cyclone Yaas: A ‘very severe’ cyclone devastated the Pt Rajan Mishra: Renowned Hindustani classical beach towns in north Odisha and neighbouring West vocalist from Banaras gharana died on April 25 due to Bengal as it hit the coast in the morning of May 26 with COVID-19 complications at a hospital in New Delhi. He wind speed of 130-140 kmph. The location of the was 70. Mishra, along with his brother Sajan Mishra landfall was north of Dhamra in Odisha's Bhadrak was one of the foremost exponents of khayal gayaki. district, 50 km south of Balasore. The seawater entered Mishra was honoured with a number of awards, coastal areas in South 24 Parganas and adjoining areas including the Padma Bhushan. in West Bengal. The National Disaster Response Force M Narasimham: The former Governor of Reserve Bank (NDRF) deployed the highest number of its 112 teams in of India, who was regarded as the “father of banking Odisha and West Bengal for relief and rescue reforms in India” passed away on April 20 due to Covid- preparations. 19 related illness. He was 94. The recommendations of Goma, Congo: The eruption of Mount Nyiragongo on the two committees he headed – Committee on the the night of May 22 sent about 5,000 people fleeing from Financial System, 1991 and the Committee of Banking the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of the Sector Reforms, 1998 – formed the bedrock of reforms Congo, across the nearby border into Rwanda, while in the Indian financial and banking sectors. another 25,000 others sought refuge to safer areas. Maulana Wahiduddin Khan: Noted Indian Islamic Torrents of lava poured into nearby villages with hardly scholar, spiritual leader and author passed away on any warning, destroying more than 500 homes and April 21due to Covid-19 complications. He was 97. leaving at least 15 people dead.

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 25

Cyclone Tauktae: Kerala witnessed heavy rain in many The cyclone brought flash floods, landslides and strong parts of the State as an extremely severe cyclonic storm winds amid heavy rain on April 4-5. A week later it Tauktae passed by the coast on May 16 with wind ripped across a 1,000km stretch of Western Australia, speeds of up to 185 kmph. Widespread damage was leaving a trail of destruction with wind speeds of up to reported from across the State. The cyclonic storm left 170km/hour. at least six people dead while injuring 13 others. The cyclone caused widespread damage in coastal districts of Konkan region belt of Maharashtra as heavy SPORTS WORLD rains and gusty winds battered the area. Over 150 persons were drowned as a – used for MAY engineering and cargo purposes -- sank near the Achinta Sheuli, national weightlifting champion ‘Bombay High’ oil-rig in the Arabian Sea. On May 17 evening the cyclone devastated the coastal secured the silver medal in the men’s 73-kilogram districts of southern Gujarat, causing widespread power category at the Junior World Weightlifting outages. The cyclone weakened slightly after its landfall Championships 2021 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Achinta in Gujarat on the morning of 18thMay. lifted a total of 313 kg (141 kg snatch and 172 kg clean

Gaza Strip: Severe armed conflict erupted between and jerk). Israel and the adjoining Palestine area Gaza Strip in V Karthikeyan Pandian, an IAS officer, and private second week of May after Palestinian militants of Hamas group fired barrages of rockets at southern Israeli secretary to Odisha Chief Minister, was conferred with cities. Israel conducted dozens of air strikes in President’s Award by International Hockey Federation retaliation hitting the facilities belonging to Hamas and for his contribution in promotion of hockey in Odisha. several commanders' homes, damaging main roads and power lines. Etienne Glichitch Award: Hockey Indiawon this United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has prestigious award given by the International Hockey called for an immediate end to the fighting between Federation in recognition of its contribution to the growth and development of the sport in the country. Israelis and Palestinians. A ceasefire mediated by came into force in the Gaza Narinder Batra: Re-elected as the President of Strip on May 21, bringing to halt 11 days of fiercest International Hockey Federation (FIH), Lausanne fighting between Israel and Hamas. (Switzerland) for the second consecutive term, till 2024.

Mount Sinabung: 's most active volcano Batra is also the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). erupted once again on May 7, spewing a thick column of volcanic ash 2.8 kms up into the sky. Sinabung is one of Ramesh Powar: Appointed as the Head Coach of Indian the most active volcanoes in Indonesia, and some Cricket Team (Senior Women) by the Board of Control 30,000 people have been forced to leave nearby homes for Cricket in India (BCCI). in the past few years.

The 2022 FIFA under-17 Women’s World Cup will be APRIL held in India from October 11 to 30, 2022.

Amboli: The Maharashtra government declared an area INTERNATIONAL at Amboli in Western ghats in Sindhudurg district, as a European Golden Boot: Won by Robert Lewandowski, biodiversity heritage site, after a rare freshwater fish star striker of Bayern Munich Football Club of Germany. species was discovered there. SchisturaHiranyakeshi is He scored an incredible 41 goals in 29 Bundesliga a rare sub-species of Schistura, a freshwater loach. The (Germany’s top football league) appearances to claim fish was named after the Hiranyakeshi river near the top scorer spot in Europe. Amboli village. Max Verstappen (Netherland) of team Red Bull won Jagargunda: As many as 23 CRPF jawans were killed the Formula One championship in Monaco Grand Prix at and around 50 were injured after an encounter with Monaco. local Naxalites on April 3 in Jagargunda area along the border between Bijapur and Sukma districts in Lewis Hamilton (Britain) won the Portuguese Grand Chhattisgarh. The fierce four-hour long encounter took Prix F1 championship for team Mercedes held at place in the forests of South Bastar. Portimao, Portugal. Cyclone Seroja: Floods and landslides triggered by tropical cyclone Seroja in a cluster of islands in Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes secured victory at the southeast Indonesia and East Timor killed at least 100 Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona on May 9 beating his people and displaced thousands of others. rival Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 26

Mark Selby of Britain won the World Snooker The 26-year-old lifted 86 kg in snatch and a world record Championship for the fourth time. The event was held of 119 kg in clean and jerk for a total of 205kg which also at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield (UK). won her the bronze medal at the event.

Sarita Mor (of Sonipat, Haryana) won the gold in the Asian Wrestling Championships in Almaty, in the women’s 59 kg category. Vinesh Phogat and Anshu Malik also clinched their maiden Asian Championship titles. Besides, Seema and Pooja won the bronze in their categories.

World Youth Boxing Championships held in Kielce, Poland: Indian women boxers put up sensational

performances as they created history with seven gold 22nd Laureus World Sports Awards: medals while Sachin won the sole gold in the men’s Most prestigious sports awards ceremony was held in section. All women finalists -Gitika (48kg) Seville, Spain on May 6. The awards are given by the NaoremBabyrojisana Chanu (51kg), Poonam (57kg), Laureus World Sports Awards Ltd, London every year. Vinka (60kg), Arundhati Choudhary (69kg), T Sanamacha Chanu (75kg) and Alfiya Pathan (+81kg) Sportswoman of the Year: Naomi Osaka, world no. 2 finished at the top. Indian team topped the medal tally tennis player from Japan, for the second time with 8 gold and three bronze medals. Sportsman of the Year: Rafael Nadal, world no. 2 In the Hyundai Archery World Cup held in Guatemala Tennis legend from Spain, for the fourth time City, Guatemala, Indian women’s recurve team including Team of the year: Bayern Munich football team from Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat and Komalika Bari won Germany, for the second time a gold medal. Archery couple Deepika Kumari and Atanu Lifetime Achievement Award: Tennis legend Billie Das, each won individual gold medal also. Jean King. The 77-year-old former world no one from the USA won 39 Grand Slam titles in her career. The Indian shooters contingent topped the medal tally by a highly successful performance in the ISSF World Italian Open Tennis Tournament, Rome, Italy: Cup at Delhi, winning 30 medals in total – 15 gold, 9 Women's Singles title: won by Polish teenager Iga silver and 6 bronze. Swiatek Men's Singles title: won by Rafael Nadal of Spain Virat Kohli has been named Wisden Almanack’s ODI

Arjan ‘Singh’ Bhullar became the first Indian origin player of the 2010s. Kohli has amassed a staggering fighter to win the ONE Heavyweight World Title at the 12,169 runs from 254 ODIs. The highly-rated annual top-level MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) Championship publication named England’s all-rounder Ben Stokes as the ‘Cricketer of the Year’ for a second successive time. event in Singapore on May 16, after defeating the heavyweight king Brandon Vera, reigning champion for INTERNATIONAL the last five years. Bhullar is a Canadian citizen. Lewis Hamilton of Britain won the season-opening Conor McGregor, the 32-year-old MMA star from Bahrain Grand Prix F1 championship on March 28 for Ireland topped the Forbes list of worlds 10 highest- the team Mercedes. earning athletes, having made $180 million in 2020. The earnings are from prize money, contract fee and Miami Open Tennis Tournament: Hubert Hurkacz of endorsement fee. Poland won the men’s singles title while Women’s Lionel Messi was in second spot, having made $130 singles title won by Ashleigh Barty of Australia. The million in 2020 followed by Cristiano Ronaldo at third tournament was held in Miami, Florida, USA. rank, earning $ 120 million.

Phil Mickelson, American professional golfer, created history by winning the 2021 PGA Championship, at the age of 50, becoming the oldest player to win a major title in the history of the PGA Tour.

APRIL

Mirabai Chanu of Manipur set a new World Record in the women’s 49kg Clean and Jerk with an impressive 119 kg lift at Asian Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent on April 17. GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 27

May 04: International Firefighters’ Day DAYS & DATES Observed every year to show our support and

appreciation for the firefighters who work round the MAY clock to protect us from incidents of fire and many other

emergencies. The day was instituted, after the death of May 01: International Labour Day five firefighters in tragic circumstances in a bushfire in Australia on 2 December, 1998.

May (4): World Asthma Day It is observed every year on the 1st Tuesday of May. The day spread awareness about asthma disease and its care around the world. The celebrations are supported by the USA based NGO - Global Initiative for Asthma - GINA. The theme for 2021 World Asthma Day is “Uncovering Asthma Misconceptions “.

May 05: Hand Hygiene Day Celebrated with active support from WHO - World Health Organisation, to mobilize people around the

This day is celebrated to honour the contribution of world to increase adherence to hand hygiene in health workers across the world. It is also known as May Day. care facilities, thus protecting health care workers and The Day commemorates the happenings of May 4, 1886, patients from infections. the Haymarket massacre in Chicago, USA that led to 8 This year, the campaign theme is “Seconds save lives – hour working norms for the workers. First Labour Day clean your hands!” It aims to highlight the fact that was observed on May 1, 1891. handwashing is one of the most effective actions you can This year’s Labour Day is being celebrated amid the take to reduce the spread of pathogens and prevent Coronavirus pandemic, which has threatened to put lakhs infections, including the COVID-19 virus. of workers and labourers out of job due to the emerging May 05: World Athletics Day severe economic crisis. This day was introduced by the IAAF in 1996 to increase

May 2: World Tuna Day awareness about athletics and to encourage the youth to Observed every year to raise awareness about the Tuna take up sports. Although this day is celebrated in the fish and its importance to humans and earth and also to month of May every year, the IAAF marked May 5 as the promote more sustainable fishing practices to conserve date for World Athletics Day in 2021. the species. They are a significant source of food and IAAF, formerly known as the International Amateur have amazing qualities due to which they are threatened Athletic Federation or International Association of by overwhelming demand. The UNO officially Athletics Federations, is the international governing recognised the World Tuna Day in 2017. Tuna is a body for the sport of athletics. Recently, it changed its saltwater fish comprising some 15 different species name to “World Athletics”. Due to the ongoing Corona across five genera. pandemic, all sports are down all over the world and so no theme has been chosen for this year. May (2): World Laughter Day It is celebrated on the first Sunday of May every year. It May 08: World Red Cross Day is a day to raise awareness about laughter and its many The day is observed to celebrate the good work that the healing benefits. The Day was first celebrated in 1998, in Red Cross Movement does around the world. Mumbai upon the initiation of Dr Madan Kataria, It’s an opportunity to pay tribute to the volunteers for founder of the worldwide Laughter Yoga movement. their unprecedented contribution to the people in need. The theme for this year is ‘Unstoppable’. This day also May 3: World Press Freedom Day marks the birth anniversary of Henri Dunant (May 08, This day is celebrated across the globe to pay gratitude 1928), the founder of the International Committee of the to those journalists who lost their lives in order to bring Red Cross in 1863 in Geneva, Switzerland. He was the us honest and real news. The day commemorates the recipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize. anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek (a city in ), a statement of press freedom principles made in 1991. Considered as the fourth pillar of democracy, freedom of the press is implicit under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian constitution as well. The theme for this year's Day is “Information as a Public Good”.

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May 08: World Thalassemia Day May 11: National Technology Day This day is celebrated to commemorate the day on which India successfully test-fired its first nuclear bombs in 1998 under “Operation Shakti” in Pokhran. On the same day India also performed successful test firing of the Trishul Missile and had test flown the first indigenous aircraft - ‘Hansa - 3’. Although, India conducted its first nuclear test, codenamed “Smiling Buddha”, at Pokhran in Rajasthan in 1974, but it was after the 1998 test that then prime minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee publicly declared India’s status as a nuclear weapons power, then 6th in world.

May 12: International Nurses Day This day is observed to raise awareness about This day is celebrated to thank all nurses, their thalassemia disease, its preventive measures and to dedication, their invaluable services, especially during avoid transmission and the importance of vaccination the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. This day happens to for children’s health, society and among the people be the birthday of the legendary nurse - Florence throughout the world. Nightingale. This day is observed by the Thalassemia International A British social reformer, she earned the nickname of Federation (TIF), a NGO based in Nicosia, Cyprus. The “Lady with the Lamp” as she used to attend the patients theme for this year’s celebrations is - “Addressing throughout the night, holding a lamp in her hand. The Health Inequalities Across the Global Thalassemia theme of 2021 International Nurses Day is ‘Nurses: A Community”. Voice to Lead – A vision for future healthcare’. Thalassemia disease is a type of blood disorder where red blood cells get destroyed causing difficulty in the May 15: International Family Day The day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in formation of hemoglobin which can cause anemia. It is a 1993 to promote awareness of issues relating to genetic disease which gets transferred from parents to families. This day provides an opportunity to increase children. Thalassemia patients need frequent transfusions the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic of healthy blood to supplement their red blood cells. factors affecting families. The theme of this year's Day is "Families and New May (08): World Migratory Bird Day Technologies." It aims to focus on technological This day is officially celebrated twice in a year since it developments as to how they can impact families. With started in 2006. Firstly, it is held on the Second Saturday COVID-19, digital technology has taken center stage in of May and again on the Second Saturday of October. our lives. The day aims to raise awareness of migratory birds and the importance of international cooperation to conserve May 16: National Dengue Day them. Observed every year with support from the Ministry of The theme selected for this year’s celebration is “Sing, Fly, Health and Family Welfare to raise awareness about Soar – Like a Bird!” The theme appeals to people around dengue and its preventive measures. Dengue is a viral the world to use their voices and creativity to express disease, transmitted by the infective bite of the mosquito named Aedes Aegypti. It is common after the their shared appreciation of birds and nature. rainy season. It is highly contagious and spreads from

May (9) : Happy Mothers’ Day one person to another through mosquito bites. Celebrated in India and many other countries on the second Sunday of May to honour the Mothers for the unconditional love, adoration and indispensable affection they bestow upon their children and providing unmatched lifetime emotional support. Some other countries celebrate it on some other days. The first Mother’s Day was celebrated in West Virginia, USA in 1908, when a school teacher Anna Jarvis organised a Memorial Service at St. Andrew’s Methodist Church commemorating the immaculate contribution of her mother in her life, three years after she had passed away in 1905.

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May 16: Inter. Day of Living Together in Peace May 20: World Bee Day In 2017, the United Nations declared this Day to It is celebrated every year to promote peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding, and acknowledge the role of bees solidarity across the world. The Day aims to uphold the and other pollinators for the desire to live and act together, united in diversity, in conservation of the ecosystem. order to build a sustainable world of peace, solidarity The day marks the birth and harmony. anniversary of Anton Jansa

May 17: World Hypertension Day who in the 18th century Observed every year to promote public awareness of pioneered modern beekeeping increasing high blood pressure (BP) and to encourage techniques in his native Slovenia. The citizens of all countries to prevent and control this silent theme selected for the Day this year is “Bee engaged: Build Back Better for Bees”. killer. Hypertension is a condition in which the force of the blood against the artery walls is too high. May 21: Anti-Terrorism Day Normal blood pressure is 140/90 and blood pressure The day marks the death anniversary of India’s seventh above this is regarded as high and is considered severe if Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on 21 May 1991. He was the pressure is above 180/120. The theme for this year is killed in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu in an attack by a ‘Measure your blood pressure, control it, live longer!’ to suicide bomber of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam raise awareness especially in low to middle income areas (LTTE), most dreaded terrorist group of Sri Lanka. Since and promote the accurate blood pressure measurement then, the day has been declared Anti-Terrorism Day in methods. India. The day aims to spread the message of peace,

May 17: World Telecommunication and Info. Society humanity, unity, and harmony among the people, and to Day make them aware of the anti-social acts of terrorism.

Observed across the globe to help raise awareness of the May 21: International Tea Day possibilities that the use of the Internet and other The day aims to raise awareness about improving the information and communication technologies (ICT) can condition of tea producers and tea workers across the bring to societies and economies, as well as of ways to world. Tea producing countries make a lot of profit but bridge the digital divide. The day marks the anniversary the condition of the labourers working in the tea of the signing of the first International Telegraph plantations is very bad. This day endeavours to raise the Convention and the creation of the International status of tea workers, their rights, daily wages, social Telecommunication Union in 1865. security, employment security, and health. The theme for this year is “Accelerating digital transformation in challenging times”. During lockdowns May (21): National Endangered Species Day families are forced to stay at home and digital It is celebrated each year on the third Friday of May technology becomes the only way to stay in touch with across the country. The day gives us the opportunity to friends and family. be more aware of the conservation of endangered species and learn about the different steps the country May 18: International Museum Day is taking to properly protect these animals. Celebrated every year to raise awareness about the At the global level, the International Union for importance of Museums which are an important means Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland maintains of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and the most comprehensive Red List of Threatened Species development of mutual understanding, cooperation and around the world. It lists more than 31,000 species peace among peoples. They enlighten us with the threatened with extinction, accounting for about 27% of numerous unknowns and take us to places we have all assessed species. never been before. The theme of the day for the year 2021 “The Future of Museums: Recover and Reimagine”. May 22: International Day for Biodiversity

May 20: World Metrology Day Observed with the support from UNO to raise Observed globally every year to create awareness about awareness on various issues related to threats that stare metrology (weights and measurements) and its biodiversity in the face. The day aims to spread concern advancement in the respective field. On this day, many about the importance of biodiversity as well as focuses nations cooperate internationally to raise awareness on global issues including biodiversity loss. about metrology and its progress in the relevant field. The theme for the year 2021 is “We’re part of the The theme for the Day this year is “Measurement for solution#ForNature”. It aims at strengthening Health”. This theme was chosen to create awareness of biodiversity by undertaking activities such as planting the important role measurement plays in health, and more trees, consuming a variety of foods in our diets to thus in the wellbeing of every one of us. promote crop diversity, avoiding food and water It may be noted that the similar sounding World wastage, generating less waste and reusing and Meteorological Day is observed on 23rd March. recycling products. GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 30

May 23: World Turtle Day May 28: World Menstrual Hygiene Day The day is celebrated with the purpose of increasing Observed annually to create awareness among people attention and knowledge about turtles and tortoises, regarding menstrual hygiene. The day aims to change and draw enough awareness from humans about the the social stigma and taboo associated with measures that should be taken to help them survive and menstruation and to promote awareness and education thrive in their natural environment, without any human among girls and women regarding menstrual hygiene. interruptions to spread awareness about the protection This year’s theme for the Day is ‘Action and Investment of the natural habitat of turtles and tortoises. The theme in Menstrual Hygiene and Health’. for this year is - Turtle Rocks ! May 29: International Day of UN Peacekeepers Turtles belong to one of the oldest reptile groups in the The Day is observed globally to honour all the women world. Their origin dates back to the time of dinosaurs, and men who have served as military, police or civilians which is nearly 200 million years back. in UN Peacekeeping operations. This is the date when in May 25: World Thyroid Day 1948 the first UN peacekeeping mission named the Observed globally every year to raise awareness about "United Nations Truce Supervision Organization", or the importance of Thyroid and the prevention and UNTSO, began operations in the Middle East. treatment of thyroid diseases. This day was established The theme for this year’s celebrations is "The road to a in 2008 as a part of the campaign led by European lasting peace: Leveraging the power of youth for peace Thyroid Association (ETA) and the American Thyroid and security." It focuses on over 10,000 young Association (ATA) followed by Latin American Thyroid peacekeepers aged between 18 – 29 years that are Society (LATS) and Asia Oceania Thyroid Association deployed in various corners of the world, performing (AOTA) to commemorate the patients with Thyroid their duties for protecting the lives of civilians. diseases and doctors and physicians who treat them. May 29: International Everest Day Thyroid disorders are conditions that affect the thyroid Celebrated annually to commemorate the first gland; a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck, conquering of the highest peak on Earth -- Mount wrapped around the trachea (windpipe). The thyroid has Everest by New Zealand's Edmund Hillary and Nepalese important roles to regulate numerous metabolic sherpa Tenzing Norgay on this day in 1953. Nepal processes throughout the body. Different types of thyroid decided to observe this day from 2008, when the disorders affect either its structure or function. legendary climber Hillary passed away.

The 8849-meter-high peak is called Chomo-Lungma, or May (26): Vesak Day ‘Mother Goddess of the Land’ by the Tibetans, and Vesak is observed every year in May on the first Full ‘Sagarmatha’ by Nepal and Chinese call it Qololangma. Moon day, also known as Buddha Jayanti, Buddha However, the English named it after Sir George Everest, a Purnima and Buddha Day. It is the most sacred day to 19th-century British Surveyor General of India from 1830 Buddhists all over the world. It is said that on this day, to 1843. Lord Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment. The Day is commemorated by the United Nations every year. May 31: No Tobacco Day Celebrated with active support from the World Health May 28: World Hunger Day Organisation, the day tries to educate people about the Observed globally every year to raise awareness about harmful effect of tobacco consumption and the urgent more than 690 million people living in chronic hunger need to quit it. Tobacco use is responsible for several worldwide. The initiative recognizes the dire need to lakh deaths each year. The theme for this year is “Quit save nearly a quarter of a billion lives from tobacco to be a winner”. WHO also launched a “Commit malnourishment and chronic hunger. The United to Quit” campaign to encourage people who want to quit Nation’s second sustainable development goal earmarks smoking. the importance of increased agricultural productivity to nourish the existing 690 million people.

May 28: Amnesty International Day This day aims to promote human rights and raise awareness of their abuses and how our choices affect them every day. Amnesty International is a London based global NGO that fights for human rights with over three million members and supporters around the world. It works hard to protect children, women, and men across the world in cases whereby their truth, dignity, and justice are denied.

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 31

APRIL April 11: National Safe Motherhood Day It is an initiative of the White Ribbon Alliance India April 2: World Autism Awareness Day (WRAI) to enforce that women must have the Observed globally every year to highlight the need to availability and adequate access to care during improve the quality of life of those with autism so that pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal services. At the they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral request of WRAI, an alliance of 1800 organizations, in part of society. The theme for this day for 2021is 2003, the Government of India declared April 11, the “Inclusion in the Workplace: Challenges and anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi’s birth day, as National Opportunities in a Post-Pandemic World”. Safe Motherhood Day. India is the 1st country in the Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by world to have socially declared a National Safe difficulties faced in social interaction and communication, Motherhood Day. and by restricted and repetitive behavior. April 11: World Parkinson’s Day April 2: International Children’s Book Day The day aims to raise awareness about Parkinson's The Day is observed by the International Board on disease, which is a progressive nervous system Books for Young People, an international non-profit disorder. It is a condition that affects the brain, organization based at Basel, Switzerland, to inspire a resulting in a progressive loss of coordination and love of reading and to call attention to children’s books. movement of muscles, often marked by shaking of The theme for this year is “The Music of Words.” hands. April 5: National Maritime Day It also marks the birthday of Dr James Parkinson (1755) Observed annually to raise awareness in supporting from London, who was the first person to systematically intercontinental commerce and the global economy as describe the six individuals with the symptoms of the most well-organized, safe and sound, Parkinson Disease in 1817. environmentally responsive approach of transporting April 12: International Day of Human Space Flight goods from one corner to another corner of the world. The day is celebrated and supported by the UNO to On this day in 1919, SS Loyalty, the first ship of The mark the beginning of the space era for mankind and to Scindia Steam Navigation Company Ltd sailed from highlight the contribution of space science and Mumbai to the United Kingdom (London). technology for peaceful purposes. On this day in 1961, April 5: International Day of Conscience the first human space flight was carried out by Yuri The United Nations has declared this day to remind Gagarin, a Russian citizen, who became the first person people to self-reflect, follow their conscience, and do the to journey into outer space. right things. It's an opportunity to improve themselves and their communities, stimulating a crucial turning April 13: India celebrates Baisakhi point for transforming our world. The auspicious day of Baisakhi is celebrated all over The day aims to promote peace and love throughout the India though under different names and with different world by highlighting the role of conscience in stopping sets of rituals. It marks the thanksgiving by the farmer people from harming others orally, physically, sexually, community for the bumper Rabi crops. or mentally. In north India, it is one of the biggest festivals of the

April 07: World Health Day Sikhs as it marks the foundation of the Khalsa Panth on It is an initiative taken by the World Health Organization this day by the 10th Guru Sri Gobind Singh. to raise awareness about overall health and well-being People of Assam celebrate April 13 as Rongali Bihu, of people across the world. The Day aims to highlight while those in West Bengal celebrate it as Naba Barsha. WHO’s constitutional principle that the enjoyment of the Bihar celebrates Baisakhi as Vaishakha in honour of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the Sun God, Surya while Kerala celebrates it as Vishu and fundamental rights of every human being without Tamil Nadu as Puthandu. distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or April 13: Siachen Day social condition. The theme for 2021 is “Building a Celebrated annually to pay solemn tributes to the fairer, healthier world for everyone”. soldiers who laid down their lives to capture the icy April 10: World Homoeopathy Day heights of Siachen in April 1984. The day This day is celebrated to honor the birth of the father of commemorates the courage and fortitude displayed by the Homoeopathic system of medicines Dr. Samuel Hahnemann. Born on this day in 1755 in Paris, France, Indian Army troops in securing the highest and coldest he was a German physician, who was an acclaimed battlefield in the world. On 13 April 1984, the Indian scientist, a great scholar, and linguist. Homeopathy is an Army launched ‘Operation Meghdoot’ to secure Bilafond alternative form of medicine, which believes that ‘Like La and other passes on the Saltoro Ridgeline, from cures like.’ This year the theme of the day in India is, Pakistani aggression. “Homeopathy- Roadmap for Integrative Medicine”. GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 32

April 15: World Art Day public service and excellence in work. The day provides an unique opportunity for introspection as also for working out future strategies to deal with the challenges being posed by the ever changing times. This date commemorates the day when the first home minister of independent India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel addressed the probationers of Administrative Services Officers in 1947 at Metcalf House, Delhi; he referred to civil servants as the 'steel frame of India'.

April 21: World Creativity and InnovationDay

Observed globally every year to raise awareness about Celebrated globally every year with support from the importance of creativity and innovation in problem- UNESCO to promote the development, diffusion and solving with respect to advancing the United Nations enjoyment of art. This day is being celebrated all over sustainable development goals, also known as the the world to emphasize the importance of art that “global goals”. The main objective of the day is to nurtures creativity, innovation and cultural diversity for encourage people to use new ideas, make new decisions, all peoples across the globe. The day also and do creative thinking. commemorates the birthday of Leonardo da Vinci, the famous painter of Mona Lisa. April 22: The Earth day Observed to create awareness about pollution and to April 17: World Haemophilia Day celebrate the environment of our planet. According to Observed globally to raise awareness for Haemophilia the United Nations, International Mother Earth Day is and other similar bleeding disorders. The day happens celebrated to remind each of us that the Earth and its to be the birthday of Frank Schnabelen, founder of the ecosystems provide us with life and sustenance. The World Federation of Haemophilia, a Montreal, Canada landmark Paris Agreement, which brings almost 200 based NGO. The theme for this year is “Adapting to countries together in setting a common target to reduce Change: Sustaining care in a new world”. global greenhouse emissions, was signed on Earth Day Haemophilia is a mostly inherited genetic disorder that 2016. impairs the body's ability to make blood clots, a process The theme of the day this year is ‘Restore Our Earth’. The needed to stop bleeding. This results in people bleeding theme focuses on natural processes, emerging green for a longer time after an injury, easy bruising, and an technologies, and innovative thinking that can restore the increased risk of bleeding inside joints or the brain. world’s ecosystems. April 18: World Heritage Day April 23: World Book and Copyright Day Also known as the International Day for Monuments and Observed globally every year with support from Sites, it is observed every year with support from UNESCO to pay tribute to all those writers and authors UNESCO to preserve the human heritage and recognize who have contributed to the social and cultural progress the efforts of the organizations working for it. It is a collective effort of the communities in the world to do of humanity. The day aims at raising awareness about the "power of books" and encouraging people across the the needful to maintain the legacy and save the rich world to read. Each year, UNESCO and the international heritage which has been given to us by our ancestors. organizations representing the three major sectors of The theme for this year is “Complex Pasts: Diverse the book industry -- publishers, booksellers, and Futures”. Currently, there are 38 World Heritage Sites libraries -- select the World Book Capital for a one-year located in India. period. This year, the city of Tbilisi in has been April 19: World Liver Day selected as the World Book Capital for 2021. Observed every year to spread awareness about the April 23: English Language Day liver, the second largest and the most complex organ in Observed globally every year to mark the birthday and the body, with the exception of the brain. Liver diseases can be caused by hepatitis A, B, C, alcohol and drugs. date of death of legendary writer William Shakespeare. Viral Hepatitis occurs due to consumption of This initiative was established by the UN’s Department contaminated food and water. of Public Information in 2010 “to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity as well as to April 21: Civil Services Day The Government of India celebrates this day as an promote equal use of all six official languages occasion for the civil servants to rededicate themselves throughout the Organization”. The English language is to the cause of citizens and renew their commitments to spoken in 67 nations out of 195 countries in the world.

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April 24: National Panchayati Raj Day (WIPO), Geneva. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is necessary to be safe, therefore, WIPO is not organising any physical events, and encouraged the community to celebrate via virtual channels. This year the theme is “SMEs & IP: Taking your ideas to market”.

April 28: World Day for Safety and Health at Work The day aims at promoting the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases at the workplace. In order to stress the prevention of accidents and diseases at work, the International Labour Organization (ILO) started celebrating this day in 2003. The theme for this year’s celebrations is “Anticipate, prepare and respond to crises: Invest now in resilient occupational safety and health (OSH) systems''. It focuses on leveraging the elements of an OSH system as set out in the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health

Convention, 2006. Celebrated to highlight the role of Panchayats as the first rung of local self-administration. Panchayati Raj April 29: International Dance Day Institutions are the cornerstone of decentralized This day was created by the Dance Committee of the governance and planning in India. Strengthening and International Theatre Institute, Paris, the main partner modernizing of the Panchayati Raj system has given a for the performing arts of UNESCO. The primary new direction to the social and economic development purpose of Dance Day is to attract the attention of the of the villages. wider public to the art of dance. Emphasis should be On this day in 1993, the Panchayati Raj Act (73rd given to addressing a new public, people who do not Amendment) came into existence. The Panchayati Raj is follow dance events during the year. This event marks the oldest system of local government. The word the birth anniversary of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727– 'Panchayat' is an amalgamation of two words where 1810), the father of modern ballet. The theme of International Dance Day 2021 is ‘Purpose of dance’. 'Panch' means 'five' and 'Ayat' means 'assembly' and 'Raj' means 'rule'. April 30: Ayushman Bharat Diwas

April (24): World Veterinary Day The day aims to promote affordable medical facilities in It is observed on the last Saturday of April every year. remote areas of the country based on the Socio- The day aims to promote the veterinary profession and Economic Caste Census database. It also aims to work on improving animal and human welfare, the promote health and wellness and provide insurance environment, food safety, and animal transport. The day benefits to the poor. This day marks the launch of was created by the World Veterinary Association (WVA) Ayushman Bharat Yojana, which is also known as in 2000 to celebrate the contributions of veterinarians Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) in 2018. to the health of animals and society. The theme for this The Scheme has various benefits with an insurance year is ‘Veterinarian response to the COVID-19 crisis.’ cover of 5 lakh rupees per family per year.

April 25: World Malaria Day Celebrated internationally to raise awareness about the need for the prevention, control and elimination of malaria. It is an opportunity to educate people for better understanding of Malaria and how to cure it. Malaria is a life-threatening disease which is caused by Plasmodium Parasites. The parasite can be spread to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. However, it is a preventable and treatable infectious disease. The theme for this year’s celebrations is “Reaching the zero-malaria target.”

April 26: World Intellectual Property Day The day is celebrated to make people know how intellectual property (IP) rights encourage innovation

and creativity. The celebrations are supported by the ALL THE NEWS ITEMS IN THIS MAGAZINE HAVE BEEN SOURCED UN special agency - World Intellectual Property Office FROM VARIOUS NEWS PAPERS AND GOVT. PRESS RELEASES. GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 34

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 35

Bullet News

(December 2020 – March 2021)

For details visit – www.gyanm.in

plan celebrations of the 75 years of India’s NATIONAL NEWS Independence. ➢ The Maritime India Summit-2021 was held on a MARCH virtual platform from March 2 to 4 to discuss a

➢ P M Narendra Modi visited capital Dhaka on a two- roadmap for India's Maritime sector for next day visit to Bangladesh on March 26-27. He decade. addressed the National Day Programme of ➢ The United Nations Development Program- UNDP Bangladesh in Dhaka. launched a campaign named ‘Sahi Disha’ (Right ➢ The visit was in connection with the commemoration Direction) to facilitate and promote women’s of the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, livelihoods and entrepreneurship in the rural India. called ‘Father of the Nation in Bangladesh”. ➢ Google launched ‘Women Will’ web platform to help ➢ India and Norway have agreed to jointly work in the one million women in rural India. area of marine spatial planning in the oceanic space ➢ It will help them become entrepreneurs through for the next five years. business tutorials, tools and mentorship, as part of ➢ US Defence Secretary (counterpart of our defence the Google Internet Saathi programme. minister) Lloyd J Austin III visited India on March ➢ The UN General Assembly adopted on March 3 an 19 for a three-day visit. India sponsored resolution and supported by over ➢ Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a Virtual 70 nations declaring 2023 as the International Year Summit with Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of of Millets. Finland, on March 16. ➢ Millets are coarse grains such as jowar (sorghum), ragi (finger millet), bajra (pearl millet). ➢ PM Modi held a virtual summit with his Swedish ➢ The Shipping Corporation of India flagged off an ‘All counterpart Stefan Löfven on March 5. Women Officers’ Sailing’ crew on the cargo ship MT ➢ India began its BRICS Chairship for 2021 with the Swarna Krishna from Mumbai. inaugural three-day-long Sherpas' meeting on Feb ➢ This was the first time in the world maritime history 24-26 at New Delhi. that a ship was being sailed by all women officers. ➢ The theme for this year is “BRICS@15: Intra BRICS Cooperation for Continuity, Consolidation and ➢ Government has decided to merge the Rajya Sabha Consensus”. TV and Lok Sabha TV channels. The new channel ➢ Prime Minister Modi flagged off a Padyatra from will now be known as Sansad TV. Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat to Dandi ➢ The Human Performance Indicator for Asia Pacific in district Navsari (Gujarat) on March 12. has shown that India is at the top with 81 percent of ➢ It marked the beginning of mega event ‘Azadi ka high performers practising flexible working, Amrut Mahotsav’ to commemorate 75 years of India’s Independence. including flexible hours and work-from-home. ➢ A National Implementation Committee set up ➢ According to UNCTAD's Business-to-Consumer headed by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to (B2C) E-commerce Index 2020, Switzerland is the

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 36 most prepared nation for adopting e-commerce. ➢ Named as ‘Vasuki’, it covered the distance of 224 km India was placed at 71st spot. between Bhilai and Korba in Chhattisgarh in about ➢ The UN World Happiness Report 2021 ranked seven hours. ➢ India’s biggest silk fair, 8th India International Silk world's 149 countries on "how happy their citizens Fair was held from Jan 31 to Feb 4 by the Indian Silk perceive themselves to be''. Export Promotion Council in virtual mode. ➢ India has been placed low at 139th rank. Finland has ➢ India is the only country in the world which been ranked as the happiest country in the world. produces all the four major varieties of silk i.e., ➢ The International Intellectual Property (IP) Index Mulberry, Eri, Tassar, and Muga. 2021 evaluated the status of IP rights in 53 ➢ According to data from the US agency, the National economies. The USA topped the Index while India Science Foundation (NSF), India is currently in third was placed at 40th rank. place, only behind China and the United States, in ➢ The “Economic Freedom Index” for 184 countries, terms of number of scientific articles published in 2018. ranked the countries based on the extent of freedom ➢ The Global Climate Risk Index 2021 placed India at available in four fields -- Rule of Law, Government seventh rank in terms of losses suffered from Size, Regulatory Efficiency, and Open Markets. extreme weather events like cyclones, storms, ➢ Singapore topped the rankings for the second floods and heatwaves in the year 2019. consecutive year, while India scored low in the Index ➢ The Democracy Index 2020 placed India at 53rd securing 121st rank. position due to the “democratic backsliding” by

authorities and “crackdowns” on civil liberties. FEBRUARY ➢ The Index was topped by Norway, followed by Iceland and Sweden. North Korea was at the ➢ India hosted a virtual health secretary-level meeting bottom. with other South Asian Association for Regional ➢ The Corruption Perception Index, 2020, released by Cooperation countries on Feb. 18 to discuss COVID- Transparency International for 180 countries, has 19 crisis and exchange of best practices to tackle it. placed India at 86th rank. ➢ PM Modi virtually inaugurated the World ➢ New Zealand and Denmark jointly secured the first Sustainable Development Summit on Feb. 10. The position while Somalia and South Sudan ranked theme of the summit was ‘Redefining our common lowest at 179th position. future: Safe and secure environment for all’. ➢ The Bloomberg Innovation Index ranked South ➢ The Union Cabinet approved the signing of Korea as the most innovative nation, followed by Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Singapore at second and Switzerland at the third Partnership Agreement with Mauritius on Feb. 17. place. India was ranked 50th in the study of 111 ➢ MoU signed with Afghanistan for construction of countries. Shahtoot dam project on the River Kabul to provide ➢ India and Nepal jointly inaugurated a 108-kilometre safe drinking water to Kabul City. road connecting Indian borders with several areas ➢ UNICEF signed an agreement with Serum Institute of Nepal. The road runs from Laxmipur-Balara in of India, Pune for long-term supply of India to Nepal’s Gadhaiya in Sarlahi district. AstraZeneca/Oxford and the Novavax vaccines for ➢ India and Nepal signed a Memorandum of fighting Corona. Understanding (MoU) for the reconstruction of six ➢ Aatmanirbharta’ implying self-reliance has been secondary schools in the Himalayan nation at a cost named by Oxford Languages as its Hindi word of the of Rs 32.63crore.

year 2020 as it “validated the day-to-day achievements of the countless Indians who dealt JANUARY with and survived the perils of a pandemic”. ➢ New Delhi’s iconic monument “India Gate” ➢ The world’s largest vaccination programme began completed 100 years of its foundation laying on Feb in India on Jan 16 across all States/UTs. Currently, 10, 1921. It was built in commemoration of more two types of vaccine are being used: than 80,000 Indian soldiers who were killed during ➢ Covishield: Indian name for the vaccine developed World War I. by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca, ➢ The SE Central Railways in Chhattisgarh created a produced in India by the Serum Institute of India, new record by operating the world’s longest ever Pune. freight train by amalgamating 300 wagons of goods ➢ Covaxin: Developed and produced by the trains as one unit of around 3.5 km in length. Hyderabad based Bharat Biotech Ltd. In collaboration with the National Institute of Virology of ICMR.

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 37 ➢ Government has decided to celebrate the birthday ✓ The summit named Climate Ambition Summit of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as ‘Parakram Diwas’ 2020 was co-hosted by the UK, UN, and France rd on 23 of January every year. in partnership with China and Italy in virtual ➢ Further, one of the oldest trains of Indian Railways, mode. the Howrah-Kalka Mail has been renamed as the ‘Netaji Express’. ✓ The Paris Climate Agreement was adopted by ➢ The USA retained the top spot with Russia at second 196 Parties at COP21 in Paris on 12 December spot in the 2021 Military Strength Ranking while 2015. th India was placed at 4th rank.The 51st International ➢ India hosted the 19 meeting of Shanghai ➢ Film Festival of India (IFFI) opened on 16th Jan in Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Goa, with the premiere of ‘Another Round’, a movie Government Meeting in virtual format on Nov 30. by Thomas Vinterberg from Denmark. ➢ The first Trilateral Working Group Meeting between ➢ Bangladesh was the country of focus at this festival. India, Iran and Uzbekistan on joint use of Chabahar Veteran actor, director Biswajit Chatterjee was Port was held on Dec 14 in virtual mode. conferred the ‘Indian Personality of the Year’ award. ➢ The centenary celebrations of the Aligarh Muslim ➢ The Golden Peacock for the best film was won by University, Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh) and of Visva- the film from Denmark ``Into the Darkness” directed Bharati University in Shantiniketan (West Bengal) th by Anders Refn. were held in the 4 week of December. ➢ International Migration Report 2020 says that India ➢ The Supreme Court ordered the Centre, states and has the world’s largest diaspora with about 18 union territories to install CCTVs with night vision million people born there now living abroad. cameras in each and every police station, including ➢ On the other hand, the US emerged as the top host central probe agencies such as CBI, ED, NIA etc. country for migrants with 51 million of them or 18 across India. percent of the world’s total living there. ➢ Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) has tied up ➢ The 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention was with Hyderabad-based drug maker Hetero Drugs held on Jan 9 in virtual format with the theme for producing “over” 100 million doses of Sputnik V “Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat’’. Corona vaccine. th ➢ The Chief Guest was Chandrikapersad Santokhi, ➢ The 10 edition of the prestigious National Science President of Suriname. Film Festival was held from 24 to 27 November in a ➢ India’s 40th Scientific Expedition to Antarctica was virtual mode. launched from Goa on Jan 4 with ice-class vessel MV ➢ Malayalam film Jallikattu directed by Lijo Jose Vasiliy Golovnin. Pellissery selected as India’s official entry for the rd ➢ The Union Cabinet approved the opening of Indian 93 Academy Awards – Oscars in the foreign- language film category. Missions in three nations including Estonia, ➢ The 3rd Global Renewable Energy Investors Meet Paraguay and the in 2021. and Expo (RE-INVEST 2020) was held from Nov 26 ➢ As per an international report released Christian to 28 in virtual mode. Aid, floods and Cyclone Amphan in India accounted ➢ Indian Premier League – IPL was India’s most for maximum loss of lives in the world due to searched word on Google in 2020, according to climate change-triggered events in 2020. Google India’s ‘Year in Search’ results. ➢ ➢ The National Metrology Conclave 2021 was The World Bank approved four Indian projects worth $ 818 million. The projects which were organised by the Council of Scientific and Industrial accepted are: Research-National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi. ✓ $ 400 million for Second Accelerating India’s

COVID-19 Social Protection Response DECEMBER Programme ✓ $ 100 million for Chhattisgarh Inclusive Rural ➢ USA conferred the country’s highest military and Accelerated Agriculture Growth Project (CHIRAAG) decoration, The Legion of Merit, Degree Chief ✓ $ 68 million for Enhancing Classroom Teaching Commander, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on and Resources Project in Nagaland Dec 21. ✓ $ 250 million for Second Dam Improvement and ➢ Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Rehabilitation Project (DRIP-2) for Virtual Global Climate Summit on the fifth improvements and strengthening of 120 dams anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement on Dec in India. 12. ➢ The World Bank signed a $ 500 million deal for the Green National Highway Corridors Project to

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 38 develop safe and green highways in Rajasthan, ➢ Manipur has been declared as the best state under Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra the government’s Van Dhan Vikas Yojana for Pradesh. generating maximum employment for the local ➢ The New Development Bank, Shanghai approved a tribals. loan for one billion dollar to provide support to AtmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan through MGNREGA ➢ The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs released Scheme. the Municipal Performance Index for the 111 Indian ➢ The Asian Development Bank approved technical assistance of $ 2.5 million (about Rs 18 crore) to cities. support advanced biofuels development in India. ➢ Indore Municipality topped in the million plus ➢ India has been ranked 10th in the top 10 in the category, while New Delhi Municipal Council topped global Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) - in less than million category. 2020. ➢ The First Forest Healing centre of the country was ✓ Sweden topped the index at fourth spot, inaugurated at Ranikhet in Uttarakhand. followed by UK and Denmark at 5th and 6th ➢ The centre has been developed after research on the spot. healing properties of the forests and their impact on ➢ The World Bank recently came out with its revised overall health and wellbeing. ‘Ease of Doing Business’ report for 2020 placing ➢ Country’s first ever dedicated Express Cargo rd India at 63 rank. New Zealand topped the Terminal was launched at the Kempegowda rankings. International Airport, Bengaluru. ➢ The Human Freedom Index 2020, a worldwide ranking of civil, economic and personal freedom, ➢ The terminal has been launched for meeting export/ placed India at the 111th spot out of 162 countries. import operations of international couriers. ✓ The first three spots have been bagged by New ➢ The Maitri Setu (Friendship Bridge) was Zealand, Switzerland and Hong Kong, inaugurated on river Feni connecting Sabroom in respectively. South Tripura to Ramgarh in Bangladesh on March ➢ India ranked 131stamong 189 countries in the 2020 9. Human Development Index, a report released by the ➢ The bridge will connect landlocked Tripura with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Chittagong port in Bangladesh and other inland ✓ Norway topped the index, followed by Ireland, waterways. Switzerland and Hong Kong. ➢ Govt has selected 12 tourist sites spanning across ➢ Transparency International’s report titled “Global nine states and UTs under the Swachh Iconic Places Corruption Barometer – Asia” has found that India initiative of the newly formed Ministry of Jal Shakti. has the highest bribery rate at 39%. ➢ Keith Gomes’ short film ‘Shameless’ selected as ➢ Leh, a great seat of Buddhism in Ladakh has been India’s official entry at the 93rd Academy Awards shortlisted under the National Mission on (Oscars) in the ‘Live Action Short Film’ category. Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality

Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) scheme.

➢ Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has discovered NEWS FROM STATES a Buddhist monastery in the Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand. Almost 900 years old monastery was MARCH buried under a mound in a village of Jharkhand.

➢ The government declared Lakshadweep and Jammu FEBRUARY and Kashmir's Budgam district to be first in the ➢ Kerala has set up the country's first Digital country to be free from TB. University in Technocity at Mangalapuram near ➢ Among states, Himachal Pradesh was declared first Thiruvananthapuram, named as the Kerala under the National TB Elimination Programme. University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and ➢ As per the 'Ease of Living Index' by the Ministry of Technology. Housing and Urban Affairs, Bengaluru topped as the ➢ India’s first Carbon Watch, a mobile app for most liveable city among 111 cities covered in the assessing carbon footprints was launched by the index, followed by Pune, and Ahmedabad. Environment and Forest department of Chandigarh. ➢ It assesses the amount of carbon dioxide emission made by an individual into the atmosphere.

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 39 ➢ India's first ever geothermal power project named ➢ World’s largest floating solar energy project of 600 Geothermal Field Development Project, is to be MW is being set up in the backwaters of established at Puga village in eastern Ladakh. Omkareshwar dam in Madhya Pradesh. ➢ India's first centralised AC railway terminal has ➢ India’s first Labour Movement Museum is being been started at the Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal in launched in Alappuzha, Kerala Byppanahalli, Bengaluru. ➢ Country’s first Pollinator Park was opened in ➢ Himachal Pradesh became the first State in the Haldwani in Uttarakhand. Spread over 4 acres, the country to make the end-to-end processing of the park has more than 40 pollinator species. cabinet paperless by implementing e-cabinet ➢ The India Meteorological Department opened its second Meteorological Centre-MC in the Himalayan application. region at Leh in Ladakh. ➢ The Gujarat Govt inked an agreement with Adani ➢ The first one is at Itanagar in Arunachal. Located at Ports and SEZ Ltd. to set up India’s largest multi- 3,500 metres above sea level, it is the highest MC in modal logistics park at Virochannagar, Ahmedabad. India. ➢ The longest road arch bridge in India, the Wahrew ➢ India’s first hot air balloon safari in a tiger reserve Bridge at Sohbar, Meghalaya was formally was launched on Dec 25 in Madhya Pradesh’s world inaugurated on Jan 22. The Single Arch Bridge has a famous Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. ➢ The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation span of 169.35 metre over the River Wahrew. has been announced as the best performing civic ➢ Sikkim state launched the ‘Free Gift Milk to Girl body in India. Students of Sikkim’ initiative at the capital Gangtok ➢ The Union Cabinet approved 5200 crore rupees for to eradicate malnutrition and other health problems 850 MW Ratle Hydro Electric Project located on among the young generation. river Chenab, in Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir. ➢ Union Transport Ministry has approved an ➢ The entire state of Nagaland was declared a investment of Rs. 13,000 crore for the proposed disturbed area for another six more months from Delhi-Dehradun expressway that will reduce the Dec 30 under the Section 3 of the Armed Forces travel time to 2.5 hours from 6.5 hours at present. (Special Powers) Act, 1958. ➢ A glacier burst took place on Feb 7 near the Rishi ➢ In Manipur, the Cherry Blossom Mao Festival was Ganga hydro power project after a portion of Nanda held on Jan 9 in Mao town of Senapati district Devi glacier broke off in Tapovan area of marking the beginning of pink season in the district. Uttarakhand. ➢ A 450-km natural gas pipeline between Kochi in ➢ It caused heavy flash floods in river Rishi Ganga, Kerala and Mangaluru in Karnataka was destroying the Rishi Ganga hydro power project. inaugurated on Jan 5.

➢ Union Environment Ministry approved the Lakhwar electricity project on Yamuna river in district DECEMBER

Dehradun of Uttarakhand. ➢ Lakshadweep has become the first U T to become ➢ The week-long 47th Khajuraho Dance Festival was 100% organic as all the farming here is carried out held in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh from Feb 20 to without the use of chemical pesticides/fertilizers. 26. ➢ Nongpok Sekmai police station in Manipur’s ➢ Uttar Pradesh became the first state in the country to table a paperless budget in the state assembly on Thoubal district has been chosen as the best Feb 22. performing Police Station in the country. ➢ The foundation stone for the world’s largest JANUARY renewable energy park was laid at Khavda in Gujarat’s Kutch to produce power from energy of ➢ As per the Innovation Index-2020 by NITI Aayog, Sun and the wind. Karnataka retained its first position in the Major ✓ Spread over 72,600 hectares of waste land, the States category. 30,000-MW hybrid renewable energy park will ➢ In the North East and Hill States category, Himachal be built along the Indo-Pak border at Khavda. stood first while Delhi was first in the UTs and small ➢ Gwalior and Orchha of Madhya Pradesh have been states category. included in the list of World Heritage Cities by ➢ The World Meteorological Organisation awarded UNESCO. the status of the “Centennial Observing Station” to ✓ Orchha in Bundelkhand region is famous for its the Patna Meteorological Centre in recognition of its 16th century temples and palaces. Gwalior city meteorological observations for over 100 years. is known for its historic monuments, forts, and palaces.

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 40 ➢ Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Shops, ATM, Toilets, Children Playing Area, Clinic, Change approved construction of the Song Dam Village Haat for local handicrafts etc. Drinking Water Project on River Rispanain ➢ Government launched an ambitious scheme “Gram Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Ujala'', for offering the world’s cheapest LED bulbs ➢ The Pilibhit Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh bagged in rural areas at a nominal cost of Rs. 10 per bulb. the international award TX2 for more than doubling ➢ The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public the number of tigers in the past four years, from 25 to 65. Distribution launched Mera Ration Mobile App for ➢ The Assam govt has proposed setting up of a 6th the benefit of those ration card holders who move national park named Raimona National Park in an to new places in search of livelihood. area of 422 sq km. in Ripu reserve forest. ➢ Railway has integrated all railway helplines into ➢ The largest Solar Project at a high altitude in the single number 139 which is Rail Madad Helpline for entire Leh–Ladakh UT has been established at the quick grievance redressal and enquiry during the Air Force Station Leh with 15 megawatt capacity. journey. ➢ The 21st edition of the famous Hornbill Festival was held in virtual mode at the Naga Heritage village, ➢ The Women and Child Development Ministry has Kisama in Nagaland from Dec 1 to 5. decided to classify all its major programmes under ➢ A commemorative coin of Rs. 100 and a postal three Umbrella Schemes- Mission Shakti, Mission stamp was released to mark the centennial Poshan 2.0, and Mission Vatsalya- for their better foundation day of the University of Lucknow in implementation. Uttar Pradesh. ➢ Government launched the Sugamya Bharat App for ADB TO FUND SEVERAL PROJECTS IN INDIA people with disabilities and even the elderly to ➢ $430 million to Uttar Pradesh to strengthen 65,000 km of rural low-voltage distribution lines, register issues regarding physical accessibility to benefitting 46,000 villages. buildings, in modes of transport by uploading ➢ $133 million has been given to strengthen the pictures on it. power distribution sector in Meghalaya. The funds ➢ Government has decided to form a Centre of from ADB will be used for supporting the state’s Excellence in online gaming with focus on VFX and ‘24X7Power for All’ initiative. Animation in collaboration with IIT Bombay. ➢ $300 million to upgrade rural power distribution networks in Uttar Pradesh. ➢ UGC has approved Chartered Accountant (CA), ➢ $190 million for modernisation and upgradation of Company Secretary (CS) or Cost and Works power distribution system in city of Bengaluru. Accountant (ICWA) degrees as equivalent to ➢ $231 million loan to develop the 120 MW Lower postgraduate degree. Kopili Hydroelectric Power Project on River Kopili ➢ The government announced new policies for in district Dima Hasao in Assam. regulation of content on social media and over the ➢ $2.86 million to the Tripura for the development of top (OTT) platforms. urban areas and tourism in the state. ➢ $4.21 million project readiness financing (PRF) ➢ Now the govt can ask the social platforms to reveal facility to improve urban amenities and develop the first originator of any message that appears to be tourism infrastructure in Tripura. anti-national and detrimental to the security and sovereignty of the country.

➢ Further, all such messages may be asked to be removed within 36 hours of it being flagged under GOVT INITIATIVES Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000. ➢ Streaming services like Netflix, Amazon and Google’s MARCH YouTube, etc. must self-regulate and classify content in categories according to age. ➢ Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain Campaign launched for both rural and urban areas, with the FEBRUARY theme “catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls”. ➢ The National Highways Authority of India has ➢ The first-ever National Toy Fair was held in virtual decided to develop world class ‘Wayside Amenities’ mode from 27th Feb to 2nd March to boost toy at more than 600 locations across 22 states in the making in India and improving its global market next five years. share. ➢ The amenities will include numerous facilities such as ➢ Government approved 8 toy manufacturing clusters Fuel Station, Electric Charging, Food Court, Retail with investment of Rs 2,300 crore. GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 41 ➢ The National Urban Digital Mission launched for ➢ The Election Commission launched electronic providing an online platform for harnessing version of the voters’ photo identity card e-EPIC potential from the urban domain and technology (electoral photo identity card), which can be stored towards creating citizen-centric governance. on mobile phones and downloaded on personal ➢ Go Electric Campaign launched to boost the computers. adoption of electric mobility vehicles and electric cooking appliances to ensure energy security in the JANUARY country. ➢ Pradhan Mantri Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana ➢ Startup India Seed Fund Scheme launched with Rs. launched to develop primary, secondary and 1,000 crore fund base to provide financial tertiary healthcare systems. assistance to startups for their overall development. ➢ It will strengthen existing health systems and ➢ Government launched an inter-ministerial venture support future health interventions with an outlay ‘Toycathon’ to conceptualize innovative toys based of about 64,180 crores over next 6 years. on the Indian value system. ➢ Intensified Mission Indradhanush 3.0 launched to ➢ Six Light House Projects launched under the Global expand immunization coverage across the nation Housing Technology Challenge-India in six states to with focus on children and pregnant women who build over 1,000 houses in each project. did not get the vaccines during COVID-19 ➢ India’s first ever driverless train was flagged off on pandemic. Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line covering 37 km stretch, ➢ The Ministry of Education has decided to name having ability to run with speed up to 95 kmph. residential schools and hostels funded under ➢ NITI Aayog launched India’s first Digital Asset Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan as 'Netaji Subhas Chandra Management and Storage platform, called ‘DigiBoxx’ Bose residential schools and hostels'. to provides an easy and secure way to store all the ➢ The National Informatics Centre launched an instant files in one centralised location. messaging platform called Sandes, the Indian ➢ Petroleum Conservation Research Association version of WhatsApp. under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas ➢ Sandes can be used for all kinds of communications launched a month-long campaign SAKSHAM on Jan by anyone with a mobile number or email id. 16. ➢ An online portal “e-Chhawani” launched to offer ➢ It aims to highlight the adverse impacts of civil services to more than 20 lakh residents of 62 increasing carbon footprints and need to switch to Cantonments Boards across the country. cleaner fuels. ➢ ‘Shram Shakti’ portal launched to collect data ➢ The National Innovation Foundation, an related to the tribal migrant workers and to link autonomous body of the Deptt. Of Science and them to the existing welfare schemes. Technology, Govt of India, opened the National ➢ A new Central Sector Scheme titled 'Formation and Innovation Portal to the general public. Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Produce Organizations ➢ The portal is home to 1.15 lakh innovations scouted (FPOs)' launched. from public, covering Engineering, Agriculture, and ➢ The FPOs will form clusters to grow agricultural and Human Health. horticultural products for leveraging economies of ➢ The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) scale and improving market access. inducted the first batch of over 100 women calamity ➢ The FPOs will be provided financial assistance upto combatants and rescuers, thereby opening another Rs 18 lakh per FPO for a period of three years. frontier to women. ➢ The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) amended ➢ Global Pravasi Rishta portal and app launched to act the Companies Rules to allow NRIs to incorporate as a dynamic communication platform between one person companies (OPCs) in India. NRIs, Ministry of External Affairs and missions ➢ Further, the residency condition for NRIs has been abroad. reduced to 120 days from 182 days earlier. ➢ The Khadi and Village Industries Commission ➢ Under the new rules, the paid-up capital and unveiled an e-commerce portal — eKhadiIndia.com. turnover of the small company or OPC shall not Over 50,000 products, ranging from apparel to exceed Rs 2 crores and Rs. 20 crores, respectively. home décor, will be available on this portal. ➢ India established its first centre for wetland conservation in Chennai, named as ‘Centre for DECEMBER Wetland Conservation and Management’. ➢ It is part of the National Centre for Sustainable ➢ Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry launched a new Coastal Management under the Ministry of web portal and mobile app named E-Sampada to Environment, Forest and Climate Change. provide online access to all the properties owned by the central government.

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 42 ➢ The Union Cabinet approved setting up of public ➢ Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry has Wi-Fi networks across the country by the name PM announced that India’s new Foreign Trade Policy Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (WANI) scheme. will come into effect from April 1, 2021 for 5 years. ➢ The union cabinet approved the Atmanirbhar ➢ As per the annual World Cooperative Monitor Bharat Rojgar Yojana to boost employment in the Report, 2020, Indian coop. giant IFFCO has topped formal sector during the Covid recovery phase. among 300 leading cooperatives in the world, on ✓ Govt. will provide subsidy for two years in the basis of ratio of turnover over the GDP per

respect of PF of new employees engaged on or capita.

st th after 1 October, 2020 and upto 30 June, DECEMBER 2021.

➢ Data released by the National Statistics Office ECONOMY showed that Indian economy shrinked by 7.5% in

the quarter ending Sep 30 against a fall of 23.9%

MARCH during the stringent lockdown months of quarter

ending June 30.

➢ Agriculture Ministry released the second advance ➢ The Reliance Industries-BP Plc combine started estimates of production of principal crops in the production of natural gas in Asia’s deepest gas block at the deepwater R cluster. year 2020-21. ✓ The gas field is located at a water depth of ➢ Country’s foodgrain production is projected at a greater than 2000 meters in the Bay of Bengal, record 303.34 million tonnes for crop year 2020- 21. near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. The crop year in India is from July to June. ➢ India’s first indigenously developed 100 Octane ➢ In a major boost to India’s rice exports potential, the premium petrol was launched under the brand first consignment of ‘red rice’ was sent to the USA name ‘XP-100’ on Dec 1 by the Indian Oil on March 4. Corporation. ➢ Iron rich ‘red rice’ is grown in Brahmaputra valley of ➢ During April-September 2020, India attracted FDI Assam, without the use of any chemical fertilizer. worth $8.30 billion from Singapore, making it top ➢ China pushed USA to 2nd spot to emerge India’s source of FDI, followed by USA investing $ 7.12 biggest trade partner in 2020 as India continued to billion. FDI in India has increased by 13%, though globally it fell by 42%.

rely on import of machinery and telecom equipment

from China.

➢ Government has raised the limit for tax exemption on interest earned on provident fund contributions BANKING & FINANCE

by employees to Rs. 5 lakh per annum in specified cases as against 2.5 lakh rupees proposed in the MARCH

Budget. ➢ The RBI has set up an external advisory committee

FEBRUARY to evaluate applications for “on-tap” licensing of

universal banks and small finance banks (SFBs). ➢ As per the World Economic Situation and Prospects ➢ The committee will be chaired by the former RBI 2021 report by the UN Deptt. Of Economic and deputy governor Shyamala Gopinath. The panel will Social Affairs, the Indian economy is estimated to have a tenure of three years. contract by 9.6 per cent in the calendar year 2020. ➢ The Union Cabinet has approved a bill to set up a ➢ The Reliance Jio, the largest mobile network Development Finance Institution (DFI) with an operator in India, has been ranked 5th on Brand Finance’s Global 500 ranking of the strongest initial capital infusion of 20 thousand crore rupees. brands. ➢ The DFI will raise long-term funds for infrastructure

development projects in the country. JANUARY ➢ Govt lifted embargo on private sector banks for

➢ As per the data released by the National Statistical conduct of government business related Office on Jan 7, India’s GDP is expected to contract transactions such as tax collection and other by 7.7% in fiscal 2020-21, India’s worst economic revenue payment facilities, pension payment and performance since 1961-62. small saving schemes. ➢ RBI has asked all banks to implement the image- based Cheque Truncation System in all branches by GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 43 Sep. 30 this year to facilitate faster settlement of ➢ The LEI is a 20-digit number to identify parties cheques. involved in financial transactions world over. ➢ National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) ➢ The Exim Bank raised $1-billion through a ten year bond issue to provide support to overseas Indian partnered with SBI Payments to launch ‘RuPay projects and investment. SoftPoS’ for millions of Indian merchants. ➢ Airtel Payments Bank launched a new feature ‘Airtel ➢ This will transform NFC (Near Field Communication) SafePay’ to protect Airtel customers from the enabled smartphones into merchant Point of Sale growing incidents of online payment frauds. (PoS) terminals for the retailers. ➢ The government has raised the authorised capital ➢ On March 10, Axis Bank became the first bank in Punjab & Sind Bank to Rs.10, 000 crore from Rs. India to launch its own range of wearable 3,000 crore at present. contactless payment devices. ➢ The Shivalik Mercantile Coop Bank, HO- ➢ Dubbed as ‘Wear N Pay’, these are available in many Saharanpur, UP has become the first urban co- forms as arm band, key chain and watch loop. operative bank in India to receive a licence from RBI

to operate as a Small Finance Bank.

FEBRUARY DECEMBER

➢ The RBI brought the State Bank of Sikkim under its ➢ RBI has proposed to enhance the limit for regulatory purview from Feb 22. Now, RBI will contactless card transactions from Rs 2,000 to Rs function as a banker to the state government of 5,000 from January 1, 2021. Sikkim. ✓ Limit on e-mandates for recurring transactions ➢ The RBI formed a committee headed by through cards and UPI will be increased from N.S.Vishwanathan for drawing a vision document to strengthen urban co-operative banks. Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 from January 1, 2021. ➢ RBI extended timings for RTGS to round the clock ➢ The agricultural credit target for the public sector 24X7 on all days of the week wef Dec. 14, 2020. banks for the year 2021-22 hiked to Rs. 16.5 lakh crore with focus on animal husbandry, dairy, and ➢ The IndusInd Bank in partnership with Mastercard fisheries. launched India’s first metal credit card – ‘PIONEER ➢ State Bank of India crossed the Rs 5 lakh crore- Heritage’ – for its ultra-high net worth customers. mark in its home loan business in Feb. 2021, ➢ India Post and the India Post Payments Bank securing 34% of the market share. launched a new digital payment app ‘DakPay’ for its

JANUARY customers to operate their banking services online. ➢ ICICI Bank launched a first of its kind online ➢ RBI has started Payments Infrastructure platform ‘Infinite India’for foreign firms looking to Development Fund on Jan 5 to create 30 lakh new set up their business in India. It will offer them touch points every year for promoting digital banking solutions along with other value-added payments in Tier-3 to Tier-6 centres. services. ➢ RBI launched a composite Digital Payments Index (DPI) to measure the extent of digitisation of ➢ ICICI Bank launched a new version of its mobile payments in India, with March 2018 as the base payment app ‘iMobile Pay’ which allows payments period with the score set at 100. and other banking services to customers of any ➢ Accordingly, the DPI for March 2019 and March other bank. 2020 is 153.47 and 207.84 respectively, indicating ➢ HDFC Bank Ltd crossed market capitalisation of Rs. appreciable growth. 8 trillion for the first time on Nov 25, becoming

India’s first bank to achieve this milestone. ➢ RBI declared the continuation of the D-SIB

(Domestic Systemically Important Banks) status for 3 Banks for the year 2020 – ICICI Bank, State Bank of India and HDFC Bank. DEFENCE, SCIENCE & ➢ RBI has set up a working group headed by Jayant Kumar Dash to review the functioning of digital TECHNOLOGY lending, including lending through online platforms and mobile apps. MARCH ➢ RBI has directed that the Legal Entity Identifiers-LEI will be mandatory for all fund transfers worth Rs. ➢ According to defence website Military Direct, China 50 crore and above made via RTGS/NEFT. with 82 points has the strongest military force in the world. GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 44

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 45 ➢ The USA, despite its enormous military budgets, came observation satellite mission that will be launched in 2nd place with 74 points, followed by Russia with by ISRO in early 2022. 69, India - 61 and then France with 58 points. ➢ ISRO successfully launched surveillance satellite ➢ In terms of military spending, the USA is at the top ‘Sindhu Netra’ on Feb 28. It has been developed by with a budget of $ 732 billion per year, followed by China ($261 billion), and India - $71 billion. the DRDO to monitor activities of both military ➢ Indian Coast Guard ship ‘Vajra’ was commissioned warships and merchant shipping in the Indian into service at Chennai Port Trust on March 24. The Ocean. ship was indigenously designed and built by Larsen ➢ A Bengaluru based deep-tech start-up ‘Log 9 and Toubro Shipbuilding Ltd. Materials’ announced the launch of a rapid charging ➢ The Ministry of Defence placed an order with battery technology for electric vehicles. Bharat Dynamics Ltd, Hyderabad for supply of ➢ Based on supercapacitor technology and ‘Graphene’, 4,960 MILAN-2T Anti-Tank Guided Missiles at a cost these batteries can be fully charged in just 15 minutes and have a longer life of over 15 years. of Rs 1,188 crore. ➢ ISRO launched 19 satellites from , USA and ➢ India is set to commission its first advanced India on board the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle- surveillance ship INS Dhruv to track satellites, C51 (PSLV-C51) rocket from Sriharikota on Feb 28. strategic missiles and map the Indian Ocean bed. ➢ Of the 19 satellites, Brazil's 637-kilogram Amazonia 1 ➢ DRDO successfully tested the Solid Fuel Ducted optical earth observation satellite was the primary Ramjet (SFDR) technology for the long-range air to passenger. air missiles from Integrated Test Range at ➢ The world’s most powerful supercomputer named Chandipur, Odisha. “Fugaku”, developed by RIKEN and Fujitsu of Japan, ➢ The INS Shardul and MNS Trozona of Madagascar is now available for research work. It has carried out their first Passage Exercise (PASSEX) on astonishing high speed of processing of 442 24 March in western Indian Ocean near petaflops. Madagascar. ➢ A Japanese-Australian venture has begun producing ➢ The Indian Navy undertook the Passage Exercise hydrogen from brown coal in a test project that (PASSEX) with the Royal Bahrain Naval Force under aims to show liquefied hydrogen can be produced Operation Sankalp in the Persian Gulf on March 17. and exported safely to Japan. ➢ DUSTLIK-II: Second edition of the India - Uzbekistan ➢ The Russian space corporation Roscosmos joint military exercise was held in Ranikhet, successfully launched its first satellite “Arktika-M” Uttarakhand from March 10 to 19. to monitor the Arctic’s climate and environment. ➢ Indian Air Force took part in the multinational

exercise Desert Flag on March 3 along with France and the United States in the UAE. FEBRUARY ➢ India signed a key pact with the for ➢ L&T delivered to Indian Army the 100th and final supply of defence material and equipment, unit of K-9 Vajra-T 155 mm/ 52 calibre self- including BrahMos Cruise Missiles to the propelled guns built at its Hazira plant in Gujarat. Philippines. ➢ The Indian Navy got its third indigenously built ➢ Indian Air Force gifted a legacy Alouette III Scorpene Submarine on Feb 15, to be commissioned helicopter to the Bangladesh Air Force to as INS Karanj in March, 2021. commemorate the Golden Jubilee of 1971 War of ➢ Indian Army placed an order with Indian Ordnance Factory, Avadi, Tamil Nadu for 118 Arjun Mark 1-A Liberation. Bangladesh Air Force in return gifted a tanks - ‘Hunter Killers’. legacy F-86 Sabre fighter jet to India. ➢ It has all-weather capability and better fire power ➢ France launched the world's first military exercise and stability than the Arjun main battle tank (MBT) codenamed ASTREX in space from March 8 to 12 currently in use. aimed at testing the country's abilities to protect its ➢ The Indian Army successfully tested the Helina satellites and other defence equipment from other (Army Version) and Dhruv Astra (Air Force Version) Missile Systems designed and developed space forces. by DRDO. ➢ ISRO and NASA jointly developed a Synthetic ➢ For the first time in the history of CRPF, a Aperture Radar- SAR capable of producing contingent of 34 CRPF women personnel was extremely high-resolution images for a joint Earth GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 46 inducted into specialised jungle warfare commando ➢ The govt approved the export of the indigenously force CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute built surface-to-air missile system Akash. Action). ➢ It has a range of 25 km and can target fighter jets, ➢ Asia’s biggest aero show “Aero India-2021” was cruise missiles, drones, etc. held at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru, ➢ The DRDO inducted twenty-one 'bike ambulances' Karnataka from Feb 3 to 5. in the CRPF for casualty evacuation tasks in remote ➢ PASSEX: The Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy Naxal violence and insurgency-affected areas. conducted bilateral military exercise PASSEX in the ➢ The customised 'Rakshita' ambulances have been Arabian Sea on Feb 18 built on 350cc Royal Enfield motorcycles by the ➢ Yudh Abhyas 20: The India-US joint military Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, exercise was held in Mahajan Field Firing Range of New Delhi. Bikaner district in Rajasthan from Feb 8 to 21. ➢ DRDO & Indian Navy successfully tested SAHAYAK- ➢ AMPHEX–21: A large-scale tri-service joint NG, India’s first indigenously designed and amphibious exercise AMPHEX – 21 was conducted developed Air Dropped Container from IL 38SD in Andaman & Nicobar Islands from January 21-25. aircraft of Indian Navy off the coast of Goa. ➢ Pakistan conducted a successful training launch of ➢ KAVACH: A joint exercise of Indian Army, Navy, Air the surface-to-surface ballistic cruise missile Force and the Coast Guard conducted in the last ‘Babur’, having a range of 450 kms. week of January under the aegis of the Andaman ➢ ISRO has tied up with the digital mapping/location and Nicobar Command. tech company MapmyIndia to offer a fully ➢ Sea Vigil-21: Indian Navy coordinated the largest indigenous, mapping portal and related geospatial coastal defence exercise along the entire 7,516- services. kilometre long coastline on Jan 12-13. ➢ The India Meteorological Department plans to set ➢ Ex Desert Knight-21: Joint exercise of Indian Air up India's first thunderstorm research testbed at Force and French Air and Space Force conducted at Balasore, Odisha, jointly with ISRO and DRDO. Air Force Station, Jodhpur, Jan 20-24. ➢ The project aims at reducing fatalities and loss of ➢ PASSEX: Indian and Vietnamese Navy’s two-day property due to frequent cyclones and lightning passage exercise on Dec 26-27 in the South China strikes in Odisha and the eastern states. Sea. ➢ The American space agency NASA successfully ➢ The Ministry of Electronics and IT announced the landed its fifth rover 'Perseverance' on Mars on Feb establishment of a first of its kind Quantum 18 in a deep crater near the planet's equator called Computing Applications Lab in India in partnership Jezero. with Amazon Web Services. ➢ Researchers from five institutes across India have ➢ The move will give select researchers, scientists discovered a new gecko species in Arunachal access to Amazon’s Braket cloud-based quantum Pradesh. computing service. ➢ The new species belongs to the genus Cyrtodactylus ➢ Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) unveiled commonly known as bent-toed geckos. India’s first indigenously developed pneumococcal

➢ Gecko is a small size lizard found in warm climates. vaccine ‘Pneumosil’ on Dec 28. ➢ Bharti Airtel became the country's first telecom ➢ Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace became the operator to successfully demonstrate live fifth- first private company to successfully test-fire the generation (5G) service over a commercial network technology demonstration version of their solid in Hyderabad city on Jan 28. fuelled propulsion rocket motor – Kalam-5. ➢ A rocket from Elon Musk’s SpaceX, an US aerospace company created a new record by launching 143 satellites at one time into space on January 24. DECEMBER

➢ In a first, India has inducted two American drones JANUARY — MQ-9B Sea Guardian, unarmed version of the

➢ DRDO successfully tested indigenously developed deadly Predator series — into the Navy. Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon--SAAW from Hawk-I ➢ They were put into flying operations at Indian Navy aircraft off the Odisha coast. base INS Rajali at Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu. ➢ It is capable of engaging ground enemy airfield ➢ Govt approved a new post of a Deputy Chief of Army assets such as radars, bunkers, and runways etc. up Staff - Strategy, who will act as a “single-point to a range of 100 kilometres. advice” person to the Vice Chief of Army on ➢ DRDO and the Indian Army’s Infantry School at operational issues. Mhow (MP) have jointly developed India’s first ➢ India’s first advanced Hypersonic Wind Tunnel indigenous 9mm machine pistol named ‘Asmi’. Facility of DRDO was launched in Hyderabad. It is

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 47 capable of simulating speeds of Mach 5 to 12. machines would not be able to complete in 600 (mach is speed of sound. One mach= 1234.8 km per million years. hour ) ➢ Researchers at University of Texas, USA, have ➢ ICGS Saksham and ICGS Sujeet, indigenously built created the world’s smallest memory device Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) were commissioned yetdown to just one single square nanometre.

at Goa. ➢ INS Himgiri, a Nilgiri-class frigate under 'Project 17A' was launched at the Garden Reach INTERNATIONAL

Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) facility at Kolkata. MARCH ➢ The Indian Navy has placed an order with the Israeli

firm Smart Shooter for supply of ‘SMASH 2000 Plus’ ➢ Norway plans to build the world's first ship tunnel, fire control systems for fitting on AK-47 and AK 203 designed to help vessels to avoid navigating the rifles. ➢ Ind-Indo Corpat: The 35th edition of India- treacherous Stadhavet Sea. Indonesia Coordinated Patrol was conducted by ➢ The 1700 metre long, 37 metre high and 26.5-metre- Navies of India and Indonesia in Indian Ocean on wide tunnel will burrow through the mountainous Dec 17-18. Stadhavet peninsula in northwestern Norway. ➢ Passage Exercise (PASSEX): The Indian Navy along ➢ The First Quad Leaders’ Summit was held virtually with Russian Navy conducted a joint naval exercise on March 12. Prime Ministers of India, Australia, in the Eastern Indian Ocean Region on Dec 4-5. Japan and US President participated in the Summit. ➢ ISRO successfully launched the country’s new ➢ Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman communication satellite CMS-01 onboard PSLV-C50 participated virtually in the First G20 Finance rocket from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) ➢ ISRO has set up a dedicated Space Situational Awareness Control Centre named “NETRA”, at its meeting on Feb 26 under the Italian Presidency. ISTRAC campus at Peenya, Bengaluru. ➢ The 11th edition of the QS World University ✓ The “NEtwork for space object TRacking and Rankings placed the Massachusetts Institute of Analysis (NETRA)” will monitor, track and Technology (MIT), USA at top for the ninth year in a protect India’s space assets. row. ➢ Russian space agency Roscosmos test-launched its ➢ Australia’s Parliament on Feb 25 passed heavy lift space rocket Angara A5 on Dec 14 from amendments to their News Media Bargaining Code the Plesetsk cosmodrome in northwest Russia. ✓ It is capable of carrying payloads heavier than as per which Facebook agreed to lift a ban on 20 tonnes into orbit. Australians accessing and sharing news. ➢ The East Coast Railway became the first railway ➢ The new rules force online platforms like Google and zone in the country to commission the “End of Train Facebook to pay for news they source from local Telemetry System” to run trains without guards. media.

➢ China's Chang'e-5 probe successfully touched down FEBRUARY on Earth on Dec 17, bringing home the first samples

of the moon in over 40 years. ➢ The Myanmar Military Tatmadaw (official name of ➢ China’s ‘Chang’e 5 lunar probe achieved an historic Myanmar Military) executed a coup in the country feat on Dec 3 by planting China’s national flag on the on Feb 1. Moon's surface. ➢ Military arrested the State Counsellor Aung San Suu ✓ China became the second country in the world Kyi, President Win Myint and other senior leaders to unfurl its national flag on the moon, first of the ruling party National League for Democracy. being the USA during the Apollo mission in ➢ Denmark plans to build the world’s first energy 1969. island in the North Sea to cover the electricity needs ➢ On Dec 5, Japanese spaceship Hayabusa-2 of 3 million European households. successfully released towards earth a small capsule ➢ The energy will be generated from hundreds of containing samples from the asteroid Ryugu, which wind turbines surrounding the island. is about 300 million km away from earth. ➢ The United States has extended the New START ➢ Chinese scientists have built the world's first light- (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) nuclear arms based quantum computer ‘Jiuzhang’ which is one control treaty with Russia for five years from Feb trillion times faster than the most powerful 2021. supercomputer. ➢ The treaty aims to make the world safer as ✓ It took a little over three minutes to complete a unconstrained nuclear competition would endanger task that the world’s fastest conventional the entire world. GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 48 ➢ The Office for National Statistics, UK stated that the ➢ Archaeologists discovered the world’s oldest known British economy suffered its biggest decline in more cave art—a life-sized picture of a wild pig that was than 300 years in 2020 as it shrank by 9.9%. painted at least 45,500 years ago in Indonesia.

➢ The fall was due to coronavirus pandemic that closed shops and restaurants, devastated the travel DECEMBER industry and curtailed manufacturing. ➢ The UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear ➢ Britain became the first country in the world to Weapons (TPNW) came into effect from January 22, approve the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine 2021. The treaty was adopted by UNO in July 201. developed by the American pharmaceutical giant ➢ It is a legally binding treaty prohibiting the Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech. signatories to develop, test, produce, manufacture, ➢ Singapore’s tradition of communal dining at hawker otherwise acquire, possess or stockpile nuclear centres, open air food courts has been added to weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible ➢ South Korea signed a 48 trillion Won ($43 billion) Cultural Heritage of Humanity. agreement to build the world’s largest offshore ➢ Morocco has become the fourth Arab League wind farm near Sinan in its southwest with a country to agree to normalise relations with Israel capacity of producing 8.2 GigaWatts. ➢ Saudi Arabia has allowed women to join the armed in a deal brokered with US help. forces. They can now be appointed as soldiers, ➢ UNESCO has decided to launch an international corporals, lance corporals, staff sergeants, and prize in the field of ‘creative economy’ in the name sergeants. of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

JANUARY ✓ Starting November 2021, the $ 50 thousand award

will be given away once in two years for global th ➢ Joe Biden took oath on Jan 20 as the 46 President economic initiatives of the youth. of the United States of America. 78 year old Biden ➢ Nepal and China jointly announced on Dec 8 that the has become the oldest US President in history. revised height of the world’s highest peak Mount ➢ Kamala Harris was sworn in as 49th Vice-President Everest was 8,848.86 meter (29,031.7 feet), about of the country. Kamala is America’s first woman and 86 cm more than the last measurement in 1954. first person with south Asian roots to take the office ➢ In the Forbes list of the world’s 100 most powerful of the Vice President. women, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is at ➢ On January 13, Donald Trump became the first number one, for the 10th year in a row. president in US history to be impeached twice. ➢ According to US Air Quality Index`s data released on ➢ He was charged with inciting violent rampage by his Dec 1, Pakistani city Lahore was once again found to supporters in the Capitol Complex on Jan 9. be the most polluted city in the world. ➢ However, he was acquitted by the Senate (Upper ➢ As per the Global Terrorism Index 2020, House) as motion of impeachment could not muster Afghanistan was the most impacted of the 163 the required two third support. countries, recording 5725 deaths in 1422 terror ➢ The Henley’s passport index retained Japan on top incidents. of passport rankings among 199 passports of the world while India secured 85th spot. ➢ Merriam-Webster, America’s most trusted online ➢ It offers visa-free access to 191 destinations around dictionary announced “pandemic” as its 2020 word the world. It is followed by Singapore (190) and of the year. Germany and S Korea (189). ➢ Cambridge Dictionary has named ‘quarantine’ as ➢ The Government of France organised the fourth Word of the Year 2020. ‘One Planet Summit’, through video conferencing on ➢ The first clean coal-based power plant of Arab January 11. world- Hassyan is being developed in Saih Shuaib, Dubai, UAE.

➢ The summit aimed at protecting the world’s

biodiversity with the theme “Let’s act together for nature!” ➢ In the gravest assault on the symbol of American PERSONS IN NEWS democracy in more than 200 years, hundreds of Trump’s supporters stormed the US Capitol on Jan 6 MARCH

in a shocking bid to overturn his election defeat. Gautam Adani: Adani Group Chairman has achieved a ➢ Rioters crashed their way past metal security remarkable milestone amid the Covid-19 pandemic, as barricades, broke windows and scaled walls to fight he added the highest wealth- $16.2 billion so far in the their way into the parliament building. year 2021in the world to his fortune, as per the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index. GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 49 Jasmine Harrison: A 21-year-old British woman from England became the youngest woman to row solo across MA Ganapathy: Senior IPS officer of Uttarakhand cadre the Atlantic Ocean. appointed as the Director General of the National

Security Guard (NSG) FEBRUARY Kuldiep Singh: Senior IPS officer of West Bengal cadre Dr. Kiran Bedi: Former IPS Officer was removed from appointed as the Director General of the Central Reserve the post of Puducherry Lieutenant Governor by the Police Force (CRPF) orders of the President of India.

JANUARY Dr. G P Samanta: Appointed as the new Chief Statistician of India by the Central Government for a Arya Rajendran: The 21-year-old college student has period of two years. He will be the head of the National been elected as the youngest Mayor in India, of Statistical Organisation and Secretary of the National Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Kerala. Statistical Commission.

DECEMBER Vijay Sampla: A senior BJP leader appointed as the new Chairman of the National Commission for Roshni Nadar Malhotra: CEO of IT major HCL Scheduled Castes. Technologies topped the list of the richest women in the country with a networth of Rs 54,850 crore. Tirath Singh Rawat: In Uttarakhand, Rawat was sworn-in as the new chief minister on March 10. Gitanjali Rao: 15-year-old Indian-American girl, has been named by TIME magazine as the first-ever ‘Kid of Girish Chandra Murmu: Comptroller and Auditor the Year' for her "astonishing work” using technology to General of India (CAG) has been re-appointed as the tackle issues ranging from contaminated drinking water Chairman of the Panel of External Auditors of the United to opioid addiction and cyberbullying. Nations for the year 2021.

Parkash Singh Badal: Former Punjab Chief Minister Matam Venkata Rao: Appointed as Managing Director and Shiromani Akali Dal patron announced to return his & CEO of Central Bank of India for a period of three Padma Vibhushan award in solidarity with the farmers years by the Central government. protesting against the three farm laws. Denis Sassou Nguesso: Re-elected as the President of Dr. Gaurav Sharma: Member of Parliament (MP) in Republic of Congo for the next five years. He has New Zealand created history by becoming the first already served as President for 36 years, making him one of the longest serving Presidents in the world. Indian-origin parliamentarian to take oath in Sanskrit language on foreign land. Ms. Samia Suluhu Hassan: Sworn in as the sixth

Kylie Jenner: American media personality, model and President of , becoming the first female leader businesswoman, was the highest-paid celebrity of 2020 of the East African country. as per the Forbes Highest-Paid Celebrity List, earning $590 million in 2020. Mark Rutte: Netherlands Prime Minister won the 2021 parliamentary elections for the fourth term in a row. TIME ‘Person of the year-2020’ US President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Mohamed Bazoum: Elected as the new President of Kamala Harris have been named by the prestigious Niger, a land-locked country north of Nigeria, in Africa. TIME magazine as '2020 Person of the Year'.

Irakli Garibashvili: Appointed as the new Prime APPOINTMENTS Minister of Georgia by the Parliament of Georgia.

MARCH FEBRUARY

Saurabh Garg: Appointed as the Chief Executive Officer S N Subrahmanyan: Appointed as the head of the (CEO) of Unique Identification Authority of India. National Safety Council for a period of three years by the Labour Ministry. He is an eminent engineer, currently Dr Ajay Mathur: Appointed as the Director General of CEO and Managing Director of Larsen & Toubro. the International Solar Alliance, Gurugram, Haryana.

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 50 Dr. Ajay Mathur: Selected as the new Director General Nana Akufo-Addo: Re-elected as the President of of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). Presently, he is , a country in West Africa. Director General of The Energy & Resources Institute. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah: Re-appointed as the Ajai Malhotra: Elected as the first Indian Chairperson Prime Minister of Kuwait by the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh of the United Nations Advisory Committee of the Human Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Rights Council. He is a senior diplomat and IFS officer of 1977 batch. Roch Marc Christian Kabore: Re-elected as the President of Burkina Faso, a small landlocked country in Mallikarjun Kharge: The Indian National Congress western Africa. named the party veteran as the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. Florin Citu: Elected as the new Prime Minister of Romania, a country in South Eastern Europe. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala: The former Finance Minister of Nigeria and a former MD of the World Bank was selected by the UN General Assembly as the next AWARDS & HONOURS

Director General of the World Trade Organisation. MARCH

Mario Draghi: Sworn in as the new Prime Minister of

Italy. The 67th National Film Awards - 2019 Best Feature Film: Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea Kaja Kallas: Leader of the Reform Party elected as the (Malayalam) by Priyadarshan first female President of Estonia, a small country in Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: central Europe, east of Baltic Sea. Maharishi (Telugu) by Vamshi Paidipally Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa: Won a second five-year Nargis Dutt Award for Best Film on National Integration: term after winning the 2021 Portuguese Presidential Tajmahal (Marathi) by Niyaz Mujawar election with a landslide victory. Best feature film in Hindi: Chhichhore by Nitesh Tiwari Best Director: Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan for Bahattar JANUARY Hoorain (Hindi) (72 Fairies)

Subodh Kumar Jaiswal: 1985 batch IPS officer has Best Actress: Kangana Ranaut for Panga (Hindi) and been appointed the Director General of Central Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (Hindi) Industrial Security Force (CISF). Best Actor: Manoj Bajpayee for Bhonsle (Hindi), and Dhanush for Asuran (Tamil) Suneet Sharma: Appointed as the new Railway Board Most Film Friendly State: Sikkim Chairman and CEO.

Yoweri Museveni: Ugandan President scored a decisive The Gandhi Peace Prize - 2019: Conferred on late election victory to win a record sixth term as the Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said of Oman in recognition of President. his outstanding contributions for social, economic and political transformation through non-violent and other Sadyr Japarov: Former Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Gandhian methods. elected as the new President of the country. The Gandhi Peace Prize - 2020: Conferred on late Faustin-ArchangeTouadera: Re-elected as the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for his life long President of Central African Republic. struggle to ensure the freedom, rights, aspiration and

Alexander Ellis: Appointed as the new British High emancipation of his people. Commissioner to India. ✓ Given by govt of India, the award carries a cash prize of Rs. one crore, a citation, a plaque and an exquisite DECEMBER traditional handicraft item.

Utpal Kumar Singh: Appointed as Secretary-General of Vyas Samman-2020: Well-known Hindi writer Prof. Lok Sabha with effect from 1 December, by Lok Sabha Sharad Pagare has been selected for the 31st Vyas speaker Om Birla. Samman for his novel ‘Patliputra Ki Samragyi.’

Vineet Agarwal: Elected as the new President of the CERAWeek Global Energy and Environment Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Leadership Award: Conferred upon PM Narendra India (Assocham). He is the Managing Director of Modi via video conferencing on March 5 at the logistics major Transport Corporation of India Limited. Cambridge Energy Research Associates Week

Uday Shankar: Elected as the new president of FICCI (CERAWeek) held at Houston, USA for showing for the year 2020-21. He is currently the president of exemplary commitment of leadership for the securing The Walt Disney Company, Asia Pacific. future of global energy and environment.

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 51 Film Archive Award-2021: Conferred upon megastar Best Actor - Female: Andra Day for “The United States Amitabh Bachchan for his dedication and contribution vs. Billie Holiday” to the preservation of the world’s film heritage. Prize for Achievement in African Leadership-2020: U N’s Asia Environmental Enforcement Award: In a World’s largest leadership prize, worth $5 million first for India, a female forest officer from Odisha, conferred upon Mahamadou Issoufou, the incumbent Sasmita Lenka has been felicitated with this award. President of Niger.

FEBRUARY International Anti-corruption Champions Award:

Anjali Bharadwaj, an Indian social activist in the field of , an engineer from Telangana, Right to Information in India for over two decades, was emerged as the top winner of VLCC among the 12 individuals selected by the US World 2020 on Feb 10. government from across the globe for their deep ✓ from Haryana was declared VLCC dedication towards combating corruption. Femina Miss Grand India 2020 and Manya Singh from Uttar Pradesh was crowned VLCC Femina Miss Dadasaheb Phalke awards announced India 2020 – runner-up. The Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Awards 2021 Skoch Chief Minister of the Year Award: Given to were announced at a glittering ceremony in Mumbai on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy Feb 20. Some top winners were as under: in recognition of his government’s “revolutionary Best Actor (Female) - Deepika Padukone, Chhapaak measures” in governance in the past two years. Best Actor (Male) - Akshay Kumar, Laxmii Best Film - Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior Koozhangal wins Tiger award for the best film Best Director - Anurag Basu, Ludo The Tamil film “Koozhangal” won “Tiger” award for the Best Web Series - Scam: 1992 best film at the 50th edition of the Rotterdam (These awards are different from Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival 2021 in Netherlands. Lifetime Achievement Award which is presented by GOI ) Koozhangal (meaning Pebbles) has been produced by Nayanthara and directed by Vinod Raj PS. Pritzker Architecture Prize-2021: Architecture’s highest honour, awarded to Anne Lacaton and Jean- Global Citizenship Ambassador: Indian spiritual Philippe Vassal, founders of Lacaton & Vassal, the leader Sri Sri Ravishankar was honoured by a French duo renowned for their multiple sustainable prominent American university, Northeastern housing projects. University Center for Spirituality, Dialogue and Service, ✓ Regarded as the Nobel of Architecture, the award Boston, USA in recognition of his pioneering work as consists of $100,000 and a bronze medallion and is peacemaker, humanitarian, spiritual teacher and global interfaith leader. granted by the Pritzker family of Chicago through their Hyatt Foundation. PADMA AWARDS DECLARED The Government announced the Padma Awards, 119 in Grammy Awards declared for best in music total, on the eve of 72nd Republic Day. The 63rd annual Grammy Awards were presented at the Los Angeles Convention Center on March 15, 2021. The Seven persons were selected for Padma Vibhushan. awards are known for recognising best in music (in 84 They include former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, categories) in the world. Some of the top Grammys are: veteran sculptor Sudarshan Sahoo from Puri, Odisha, Record of the Year: Everything I Wanted by Billie Eilish Islamic scholar Maulana Wahiduddin Khan from Uttar Album of the Year: Folklore by Taylor Swift Pradesh, B M Hegde, renowned cardiologist and ex-vice Song of the Year: I Can't Breathe by H.E.R. chancellor, Manipal University, Karnataka and B.B. Lal, Best New Artist: Megan Thee Stallion acclaimed Archaeologist. Eminent Singer late S.P. Best Pop Solo Performance: Watermelon Sugar by Balasubramaniam from Tamil Nadu and late N.S. Harry Styles Kapany, renowned physicist from Moga, Punjab will be Best Pop Vocal Album: Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa awarded the Padma Vibhushan posthumously. Ten persons will get Padma Bhushan and 102 persons will get Padma Shri. The 78th Golden Globe Awards ceremony took place in a hybrid format on February 28. MahaVir Chakra: The second highest war time military Best Motion Picture – Drama: Nomadland by Chloé honour was conferred posthumously upon Colonel B Zhao Santosh Babu, the Commanding Officer of 16 Bihar Best Director: Chloé Zhao for Nomadland Regiment, who lost his life during the Galwan Valley Best Actor - Male: Chadwick Boseman (posthumously) clash last year. for “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 52 Subhas Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar: ✓ The Prize is given every year to mathematicians less Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development than 45 years of age who have conducted Society and Dr. Rajendra Kumar Bhandari, renowned outstanding research in a developing country. expert of landslides management, both won the award ✓ Given by the government’s Department of Science for their excellent work in Disaster Management. and Technology in the memory of Srinivasa Golden Peacock award for the best film: Ramanujan, a genius in pure mathematics. Danish World War II drama “Into the Darkness” directed ASSOCHAM Enterprise of the Century Award: by Anders Refn, was declared the best film at the 51st Presented to Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of the edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) TATA group to mark the contribution of his business in Goa. group in India’s progress.

JANUARY Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize 2020: Won by

the Indian journalist-author Raj Kamal Jha for his novel, Golden Peacock award for the best film: Won by The City and The Sea. Danish film “Into the Darkness” directed by Anders Refn Delhi Crime, the web series on Netflix won the Best at the 51st edition of the International Film Festival of Drama Series award at the 48th International Emmy India (IFFI) in Goa. Awards 2020.

National Florence Nightingale Award: Won by Dr International King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award: Shailla Cannie. It is the highest national distinction Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New awarded to nurses or nursing aides. Delhi, won the prestigious award from the United

Eminent Engineer Award-2020: Conferred upon V.K. Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for Yadav, Chairman & CEO, Railway Board by the bringing issues to light about significance of soil wellbeing among all partners.

Institution of Engineering and Technology, London for

his outstanding contribution towards modernization and reforms in Indian Railways. OBITUARY DRDO’s Scientist of the Year Award: Won by senior scientist Hemant Kumar Pandey for his contribution in MARCH developing several herbal medicines, including the popular drug Lukoskin for treatment of Leucoderma. K C Chakrabarty: Former deputy governor of Reserve

SKOCH Challenger Award: Conferred upon Tribal Bank passed away following a heart attack on March 26 Affairs Minister Arjun Munda for outstanding at his home in Mumbai. He was 68. performance in e-Governance. Anil Dharker: Noted journalist and author died in Canada Sahitya Gaurav: Given by the Hindi Writers’ Mumbai on March 26. He was 74. He was the founder Guild, Canada to Union Education Minister Ramesh director of the Mumbai International Literary Festival, Pokhriyal Nishank for his rich contribution to literature. held in November every year.

2021 Michael and Sheila Held Prize: Nikhil Srivastava, a young Indian mathematician, won the Laxman Pai: Renowned Indian artist and painter prestigious prize along with two others for solving long- passed away at his residence in Goa on March 14. He standing questions on the Kadison-Singer problem and was 95. He was a recipient of several awards including on Ramanujan graphs. the prestigious Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Nehru

Award and Lalit Kala Akademi Award.

DECEMBER

FEBRUARY Global Teacher Prize 2020: The one-million-dollar prize was won by Ranjitsinh Disale, 32, a primary school Justice (Retd) M Rama Jois: The former Governor of teacher from Paritewadi village in Maharashtra for his Bihar and Jharkhand and eminent jurist, passed away on February 16 in Bengaluru due to old age-related efforts to promote girls’ education using QR codes. ailments. He was 89 years old. The Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians: Awarded to Dr. Carolina Araujo, Mathematician from the JANUARY

Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics (IMPA), Rio Ustad Mustafa Khan: Renowned Indian classical de Janeiro, Brazil. (First non Indian women musician of Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana breathed his mathematician to get this award) last at his Mumbai residence on Jan 17. He was 89. He taught music to likes of AR Rahman, Shaan, Hariharan, GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 53 Manna Dey, Asha Bhosle, Sonu Nigam, Alisha Chinoy and Faqir Chand Kohli: Known as Father of Indian IT many others. Industry, Kohli passed away due to a heart attack on

He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1991, Padma November 26 at his residence in Mumbai. He was 96.

Bhushan in 2006 and Padma Vibhushan in 2018.

Dr. V Shanta: The world-renowned oncologist passed PLACES IN NEWS away after brief illness in Chennai. She was 94. Her medical life of over 60 years was dedicated to cancer MARCH care. She was the Chairperson of Adyar Cancer Centre, Chennai. Her contribution to Oncology earned her the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus: This Railway Station of Magsaysay award, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Central Railway is the first railway station in Padma Vibhushan awards. Maharashtra to be awarded with Gold certification as per CII’s Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) ratings. Narendra Chanchal: Popular bhajan singer from Amritsar passed away at a private hospital in New Delhi. El Salvador became the first country in Central America He was 80. He will always be remembered for his to be certified malaria-free by the World Health numerous iconic bhajans devoted to Goddess Durga Organization. (Sheranwali Mata).

Madhavsinh Solanki: A senior Congress leader who FEBRUARY held the chief minister’s post four times in Gujarat and Bhimbetka: The three fossils of the world’s earliest later Union minister twice, passed away in Gandhinagar. known living animal- the 550 million years old He was 93 years old. Dickinsonia- were discovered by the researchers in the

Bhimbetka rock shelters near Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Buta Singh: Veteran Congress leader and former Union home minister passed away at AIIMS, New Delhi, on Jan Chauri Chaura: Small town in district Gorakhpur, Uttar 2. Pradesh was in news as the state government launched the yearlong Chauri Chaura Centenary Celebrations here Pierre Cardin: French fashion king who made his name on Feb 4. by selling designer clothes to the masses, died aged 98. (On Feb 4, 1922, a large group of protesters Cardin was the first designer to sell clothes collections participating in the non-cooperation movement, clashed in department stores in the late 1950s. with police resulting in death of 3 civilians and lynching

DECEMBER of 22 policemen. Hurt by this, Gandhi ji decided to halt the movement).

Motilal Vora: Congress veteran, a long-time confidante Texas: In the United States, millions of people in Texas of party Chief Sonia Gandhi, passed away a day after his state suffered in extreme cold as they were forced to 93rd birthday. He was a six term MLA and a five term spend winter days with no electricity as a unusual severe winter storm named Uri struck the south-eastern MP and twice Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. part of the country.

Roddam Narasimha: Eminent aerospace scientist from Karnataka died in Bengaluru on Dec 14. He was 87. He JANUARY was honoured with Padma Vibhushanin 2013. Nubra Valley: India’s first ever ice climbing festival Vidyavachaspati Bannanje Govindacharya: was celebrated in Nubra valley in Leh, Ladakh. Renowned Sanskrit scholar, a propagator of the Madhva ideology and a great orator, died in Udupi, Karnataka Tirthan Wildlife Sanctuary, Kullu: Declared best sanctuary in the Management Effectiveness Evaluation due to age related illness. He was 85. Report of 146 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Astad Deboo: the country.

Contemporary Indian dancer, renowned for marrying Zanskar: India’s first ever Winter Sports Festival was Kathak and Kathakali into a unique form, died in held under the Khelo India initiative at Zanskar in Mumbai on Dec 10. He was 73. district Kargil of Ladakh.

Mahashay Dharampal Gulati: India’s spice king and a Sulawesi Island: In Indonesia a powerful earthquake noted philanthropist, owner of MDH (Mahashian Di rocked Sulawesi island, killing at least 92 people, with Hatti) spices, familiar to all those who watched him in more feared dead as rescuers searched for survivors. his company’s ads over the years, died in New Delhi on Dec. 3. He was 97. GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 54 DECEMBER Mithali Raj, veteran batswoman became the first Indian woman cricketer and second internationally to complete Tso Kar Wetland: To promote conservation of 10,000 runs across all formats. biodiversity, India has added Tso Kar wetland complex to the list of Ramsar Sites. This wetland is located at Chess player Koneru Humpy from Andhra Pradesh more than 4,500 metres above sea level in the won the “BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year” Changthang region of Ladakh. (ISWOTY) award for 2020, following a public vote.

Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad: It has become the 21st National Sqay Championship: Ladakh Sqay first zoo in the country to receive the ISO 9001:2015 Team won eight medals and won an Outstanding Quality Management Standards Certification from the Performance Award at the 21st National Sqay Accreditation Services for Certification Bodies (ASCB), Championship held at Jaipur in Rajasthan. UK. ✓ Sqay is the traditional martial art of Kashmir in

Nivar: Severe cyclonic storm, which made landfall early which players use a curved single-edged sword paired on Dec 3 at Marakkanam in Villupuram district, in with a shield. Chennaicaused considerable damage to crops and fields, besides leaving many areas inundated. Vijay Hazare Trophy: Team Mumbai led by Captain Prithvi Shaw delivered a crushing defeat to Uttar

Pradesh in the finals played in Delhi. The tournament is SPORTS WORLD the national cricket event played in ODI format.

MARCH Khelo India Winter National Games: Jammu and Kashmir topped the medals tally at the event held at India’s Singhraj won the gold medal in the 2021 Para famous ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir's Shooting World Cup at Al Ain in the UAE. Baramulla district.

Divyansh Singh Panwar and Elavenil Valarivan won Mary Kom, six times world champion, was appointed as the gold medal in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team event at the chairperson of the International Boxing the The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Association's (AIBA) champions and veterans World Cup held in Delhi. Angad Vir Singh Bajwa and committee at Lausanne, Switzerland. Ganemat Sekhon won the gold in the skeet mixed team event. Dushyant Chautala, Deputy CM of Haryana, re-elected as the President of Table Tennis Federation of India for Achanta Sharath Kamal became the first Indian Table a four-year term. Tennis player to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games. Virat Kohli became the first cricketer to hit 100 million Tamil Nadu’s CA Bhavani Devi became the first ever followers on social networking platform Instagram on Indian fencer to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games. March 1, 2021.

Boxer Manish Kaushik clinched gold at the Boxam World’s largest cricket stadium International Tournament in Castellon, Spain. The team President Ram Nath Kovind formally inaugurated the won overall 10 medals in the tournament. newly constructed world’s largest Cricket Stadium at Motera in Ahmedabad on Feb 24. The new stadium Vinesh Phogat won the gold medal on Feb 28 in the located in the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave is women's 53-kg category at XXIV Outstanding Ukrainian named Narendra Modi Stadium. Wrestlers and Coaches Memorial tournament in , The stadium has the capacity to seat 1.32,000 spectators. . Spread over 63 acres, the stadium has 11 pitches in the square, besides possessing a unique sub-soil drainage Wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat won system that helps in draining the wet ground in 30 gold in the Matteo Pellicone World Ranking Series event minutes. in Rome. The victories by both the wrestlers pushed their rankings to number one in the world. INTERNATIONAL

Virat Kohli became the first-ever batsman to score Kieron Pollard: ODI and T20I skipper 3,000 runs in T-20 Internationals. became the third batsman in the history of international cricket to hit six 6s in an over on March 3, 2021. Pollard Mithali Raj became the first player in the world to achieved the feat in West Indies' first T20 match against complete 7,000 runs in women’s ODI cricket. Sri Lanka in Osbourn, Antigua.

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 55 All England Badminton Championships: World’s Badminton World Tour Finals: World No. 1 Tai Tzu oldest badminton tournament was held at Birmingham, Ying (China) defeated Olympian Carolina Marin (Spain) England. in the finals at Bangkok. Men’s singles title: won by Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia Men’s title was won by Denmark’s Anders Antonsen Women’s singles title: won by Japan's Nozomi Okuhara. beating former world champion Viktor Axelsen, also from Denmark. Thomas Bach was re-elected as the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for an additional JANUARY four-year term till 2025 on March 10. Anshu Malik became the first wrestler of the country to FEBRUARY win silver at the Individual Wrestling World Cup in Belgrade, Serbia. Sathiyan Gnanasekaran became Table Tennis Men’s India Wins Series Against Australia national champion by defeating nine-time national India created history by defeating Australia by three champion Sharath Kamal at the 82nd National Table wickets in the fourth and final Test at the Gabba in Tennis Championships in Panchkula, Haryana. Brisbane and retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Manika Batra won her second women’s national title at INTERNATIONAL the 82nd Senior National Table Tennis Championships held at Panchkula, Haryana. The Yonex Open, 2021: Year’s first

Rishabh Pant: The Indian wicketkeeper-batsman won international Badminton tournament held in Bangkok, the inaugural ICC Player of the Month award 2021. Thailand. Men’s Singles title: Victor Axelsen, Denmark; Women’s Arundhati Choudhary and Naorem B. Chanu won gold Singles Title: Carolina Marin, Spain medals at the 30th Adriatic Pearl Boxing Tournament in Budva, Montenegro (a tiny country in southern Europe). Sir Lewis Hamilton: Seven-time Formula One world

Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy: Won by team Tamil champion and winner of all-time record 95 wins in F1 Nadu after defeating team Baroda in the final at the races, was awarded knighthood in the United Kingdom Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Jan 31. New Year Honours list, adding title of ‘Sir’ to his name.

10th National Ice Hockey Championship: The Indo- Player of the Century Award: Won by Cristiano Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) won the trophy after a win Ronaldo of Portugal at the Globe Soccer (Football) over Ladakh in the finals played in Gulmarg, J&K. Awards. He plays for the Club Juventus.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has become the Claire Polosak, Australian cricket coach scripted first player in the 143-year history of Test cricket to history on Jan 7 by becoming the first female match take 200 wickets against left-handed batsmen. official in the 144 year old history of men's Test He achieved the feat during the second day of India’s matches. She acted as the fourth umpire in the pink test second Test against England at the MA Chidambaram between India and Australia played in Sydney. Stadium, Chennai. ICC Awards of the Decade declared Ajay Singh re-elected as President of the Boxing The prestigious cricket awards were declared in Dubai Federation of India (BFI). He is sports manager and on Dec 28: chairman of Spicejet Airlines. Sir Garfield Sobers Award for ICC Male Cricketer of the

Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju announced that the Decade: Virat Kohli second Khelo India University Games will be hosted by Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Award for ICC Female Cricketer of Karnataka in Bengaluru. the Decade: Ellyse Perry (Australia) Test/ODI/T-20 Male Cricketer of the Decade: Steve INTERNATIONAL Smith/ Virat Kohli/Rashid Khan ODI/T-20 Female Cricketer of the Decade: Ellyse AUSTRALIAN OPEN GRAND SLAM held in Perry/Ellyse Perry Park, Australia ICC Spirit of Cricket Award of the Decade: M S Dhoni Men’s title: Defending Champion Novak Djokovic

(Serbia) won his ninth Australian Open title, beating Daniil Medvedev of Russia. DECEMBER Women’s title: Japan's Naomi Osaka won her fourth Grand Slam title by beating American Jennifer Brady Yash Vardhan, the 17-year-old shooter from Rajasthan won gold in the 10m air rifle at the 6th edition of the International Online Shooting Championship (IOSC).

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 56 Amit Panghal, ace boxer from Rohtak, Haryana won a ’s Kibiwott Kandie smashed the half marathon gold medal in the 52 kg weight category at the World (21 km) world record by 29 seconds on Dec 7, becoming Cup in Cologne, Germany. Manisha Moun and Simranjit the first person to finish a half marathon in under 58 Kaur also won gold in the women’s 57 kg and 60 kg minutes. category, respectively. ✓ He won the Valencia Half Marathon in Spain in 57

Anshu Malik, 19 year old female wrestler from Haryana minutes and 32 second, breaking the previous won silver in the 57 kg category at the World Cup in record of 58:01 set by compatriot Geoffrey Kamworor in September 2019. Belgrade, Serbia.

Jehan Daruvala, became the first driver from the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2020: Won by country to win a Formula 2 race. He won the Sakhir Formula 1 world champion, Lewis Hamilton of Britain. sprint race in Bahrain. 22 yearoldDaruvala hails from Best FIFA Men’s Player 2020: Won by Robert Mumbai and races for team Carlin of UK. Lewandowski of Poland, forward player of Bayern FICCI Sportspersons of the Year: Men: Wrestler Munich club. Bajrang Punia Women: Shooter Elavenil Valarivan Best FIFA Women’s Player 2020: Won by Lucy Bronze of England, full-back player of Manchester City club. The Sports Ministryapproved the inclusion of four indigenous games to be a part of Khelo India Youth World Athletics Awards 2020 Games 2021, scheduled to take place in Haryana. World Athlete of the Year – Male: Mondo Duplantis of ✓ The games include Gatka (martial art of Punjab), Sweden, for breaking the world record in the pole vault Kalaripayattu (martial art of Kerala), Thang-Ta twice, topping 6.17Mt and 6.18Mt on back-to-back (martial art of Manipur) and Mallakhamb, weekends in February, 2020. Just 21, he is the youngest traditional pole based gymnastics, very popular in athlete to win this title. Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. World Athlete of the Year – Female: Yulimar Rojas

Government has decided to include Yoga henceforth (25) of Venezuela, for breaking the world indoor record as a competitive sport and part of sports disciplines in in triple jump by 7cm in Madrid. all national and university games. Greg Barclay, head of the New Zealand Cricket team, elected as the new independent chairman of the India has decided to contribute $ 1 million to the World International Cricket Council (ICC), Dubai. Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to ensure an atmosphere Asian Games 2030 & 2034: The Olympic Council of of clean sport globally. Asia announced that the 2030 Asian Games will be

Hockey World Cup 2023: The International Hockey hosted by Doha, Qatar, while the 2034 edition will be Federation (FIH) had announced that the 2023 FIH hosted by Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Men’s Hockey World Cup will be hosted in Odisha, for a ✓ It may be noted that the 2022 Asian Games are to be second consecutive time. hosted by Hongzhou, China and 2026 edition by Nagoya, Japan. Chetan Sharma: Former Indian pacer was appointed chairman of the senior national selection panel by the Russia was banned on Dec 17 from using its name, flag BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee. and anthem at the next Olympics or any world championships for the next two years by the Court of Parthiv Patel, one of the youngest to have played Test Arbitration for Sport, Lausanne (Switzerland). cricket for India at the age of 17, announced his ✓ The ban was imposed after allegations of state- retirement on Dec 9 from all forms of the game, three backed doping and cover-ups emerged against months short of his 36th birthday. Russia after the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

INTERNATIONAL

Sergio Perez became the first Mexican victor (since 1970) in F1 race winning the Sakhir Grand Prix at Bahrain for the team Racing Point.

Max Verstappen (Team Red Bull – Netherlands) won the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2020, held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Lewis Hamilton, seven-time F1 world champion from Britain won Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2020 for team Mercedes at Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain.

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 57

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 58 Model Test For General / Economy / Banking Awareness

MAY GK TEST - 01 7. In the recent rankings released by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, which

state was ranked at number one in 1. What is the title of the recent novel written by implementation of Smart City Projects? noted novelist Jhumpa Lahiri? a. Telangana b. Rajasthan a. Whereabouts b. The Namesake c. Haryana d. Jharkhand c. Interpreter of Maladies e. Sikkim d. The Lowland e. Brotherly Love 8. China successfully sent a new satellite Haiyang- 2. Which country has the most travel-friendly 2D (HY-2D) into orbit on May 19 for what passport as per the latest Henley Passport purpose? Index released on April 15? a. For 6G tele-communications a. Singapore b. Switzerland b. For weather monitoring c. Japan d. Sweden c. For military surveillance e. Norway d. For ocean-monitoring 3. NASA's Mars helicopter named ______made e. For GPS network history with a successful flight on the Red 9. What is the formal name of the widely Planet. prevalent deadly infection Black Fungus? a. Curiosity b. Ingenuity a. Mycoriamiseptic b. Mucormycosis c. Inspire d. Voyager c. Mycorolysis d. Mucosis e. Perseverance e. Mycophytolosis 4. An Asset Reconstruction Company buys the 10. Indian Navy decommissioned its first destroyer ______from banks and financial institutions at warship on May 21 at the Visakhapatnam a mutually agreed value: Dockyard, putting an end to a glorious era of 41 a. Fixed assets b. Property years of outstanding services. What was its c. Bad loans d. Old assets name? e. Scrap items a. INS Trishul b. INS Dogra 5) MCLR is the minimum interest rate, below c. INS Rajput d. INS Khanderi which a bank is not permitted to lend. What is e. INS Mysore the full form of MCLR? 11. Maharana Pratap, heroic warrior of Rajasthan, a. Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate was the king of which area? b. Marginal Cost of Finance based Lending Rate a. Jodhpur b. Chittor c. Maximum Cost based Lending Rate c. Mewar d. Haldighati d. Minimum Cost of Funds based Lending Rate e. Udaipur e. Marginal Capital and Lending Ratio 12) Which one of the following is NOT a tool of 6) The Sudirman Cup is associated with which Fiscal Policy? sport? a. Taxation b. Pubic Expenditure a. Hockey b. Tennis c. Interest Rate d. Pubic Debt c. Badminton d. Basketball e. None of these e. Chess

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 59 13. As per recent RBI directions, cash withdrawal c. Standard Life Insurance of up to Rs. ______per transaction now can be d. BNP Paribas made from online wallets like Amazon pay, Ola e. Metlife Insurance money, Mobikwik, Phone pe, etc. by using ATMs 22) Micro Credit means: or PoS machines: 1. Loans up to Rs. 1 lakh to people in unorganized a. 1,000 b. 2, 000 sector c. 3,000 d. 4,000 2. Loans to Self-Help Groups e. 5,000 3. Loan for micro-nutrients 14. Moctar Ouane has been re-appointed as the a. Only 1 b. Only 2 Prime Minister of Mali. It is located in which c. Only 1 and 2 d. All 1, 2 and 3 part of Africa? e. None of these a. Northern b. Southern 23. Ramesh Powar has been appointed as the head c. Western d. Eastern coach of which national women’s team e. Central a. Hockey b. Cricket 15. Arjan ‘Singh’ Bhullar became the first Indian c. Kabaddi d. Tennis origin fighter to win the ONE Heavyweight e. Football World Title at the top-level MMA (Mixed 24. Who secured the top spot-on Fortune Martial Arts) Championship. He hails from magazine's list of the world's 50 greatest which country? leaders, released on May 14? a. USA b. Canada a. Jacinda Ardern b. Robert Mueller c. Australia d. New Zealand c. Jack Ma d. Satya Nadella e. Britain e. Greta Thunberg 16. Penpa Tsering has been elected as the new 25. Sir David Attenborough, the 95-year-old ______of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, renowned English broadcaster and natural based in Dharamshala: historian has been named as the ______of the a. Chairman b. Governor UN Climate Change Conference (COP26): c. President d. Prime Minister a. Chairperson b. Patron d Chief e. Premier c. People’s Advocate d. Brand Ambassador 17. Jagannath Pahadia, the first Dalit Chief Minister e. Chief Delegate of ______succumbed to death due to 26. Which militant group launched repeated rocket COVID-19 at the age of 89 on May 19: attacks in the second week of May on adjoining a. Madhya Pradesh b. Gujarat areas of Israel? c. Rajasthan d. Odisha a. Hezbollah b. Al Qaeda e. Haryana c. ISIS d. Hamas 18. What was the theme of this year’s World e. Fatah Metrology Day celebrated on May 20? 27. Coastal areas of the six states were devastated a. Metrology to push trade by the Super Cyclone Tauktae. Which of the b. Measures: Tool to kill Corona following was NOT one of them? c. Metrology for Health a. Kerala b. Gujarat d. Measurement for Health c. Karnataka d. Maharashtra e. Better Measurements: Better World e. Tamil Nadu 19. Which state emerged at the top in establishing 28. Raghunandan Lal Bhatia, a Congress stalwart Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs) under the passed away on May 15. He represented which Ayushman Bharat Program? Lok Sabha constituency six times? a. Kerala b. Karnataka a. Ludhiana b. Patiala c. Tamil Nadu d. Telangana c. Amritsar d. Jallandhar e. Assam e. Gurdaspur 20. Which of the following is NOT a part of the 29. Drugs Controller General of India is very much famous “Char Dham Yatra” of Uttarakhand? in news these days as it permits the usage of a. Kedarnath b. Rudraprayag drugs and vaccines in India, including those for c. Gangotri d. Badrinath COVID-19. Where are its headquarters? e. Yamunotri a. Hyderabad b. Lucknow 21) The ‘SBI Life Insurance’ is a joint venture life c. Pune d. Bengaluru insurance company between State Bank of e. New Delhi India and ______. 30) Some of the activities undertaken by the a. New York Life Insurance Central Banks are b. Prudential Life Insurance 1) Lending money for infrastructure

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 60 2) Creation of currency chests at various places 38) Which of the following statement regarding 3) Maintaining electronic funds transfer systems money market is true? a. Only 1 and 2 b. Only 1 and 3 i) It provides investment avenues of short-term c. Only 2 and 3 d. 1, 2, & 3 tenor up to one year e. None of these 31) Which of the following broadly describes Fiscal ii) Money market is classified into overnight Deficit? market, notice money market and term money a. Total income less Government borrowing market b. Total expenditure less total receipts iii) It caters to investors with a long-term c. Total payments less capital receipts investment horizon d. Total taxes raised by Govt. Select the right option: e. None of these a. Only a and b b. Only a and c 32. 'KUSUM' (Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) covers which of the following? c. Only a d. Only b a. Setting up of 10,000 MW of Decentralized e. All of these Ground Mounted Grid Connected Solar Power 39) The term bridge loan refers to Plants a. Loan given to a bridge company b. Installation of 17.50 lakh Stand-alone Solar b. Loan given for construction of a bridge Pumps c. Short-term loan given before main loan c. Solarisation of 10 lakh Grid Connected d. Loan given to bridge the gap in term loan Agriculture Pumps and 50 Thousand Tube- wells/Lift Irrigation Projects e. None of these d. Only a and b 40. The Maharishi Organisation Worldwide e. All of the above selected which Indian union minister for the 33. Which vitamin is provided by sunlight to the International Invincible Gold Medal? body? a. Dr. Harsh Vardhan b. Dr, S. Jaishankar a. Vitamin A b. Vitamin B c. Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ c. Vitamin C d. Vitamin D d. Nitin Gadkari e. Nirmala Sitharaman e. Vitamin E 34) What is the total number of seats in the Lok 41. Padma Bhushan Prof. M S Narasimhan, passed away on May 16. He was an eminent professor Sabha? of which subject? a. 545 b. 542 a. Physics b. Mathematics c. 554 d. 553 c. Medicine d. Astronomy e. 543 e. Nuclear Science 35. Foot and mouth disease is found in which of the 42. Iga Swiatek won the Women's Singles title at following? the Italian Open Tennis Tournament. She hails a. Cats b. Dogs from which country? c. Cattle d. Poultry a. Spain b. Serbia c. France d. Italy e. Birds e. Poland 36. The indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine 43. Andrea Meza, winner of Miss Universe 2020 ‘Covaxin’ is being manufactured by Bharat title, represents which country? Biotech at which place? a. France b. Chile a. Visakhapatnam b. Mysore c. Mexico d. Croatia c. Bengaluru d. Hyderabad e. Hungary e. Pune 44) RBI has directed banks to pay interest in savings bank accounts at ______or shorter 37) The prestigious Palme d'Or award for the best intervals: film is given at which international film a. Weekly b. Fortnightly festival? c. Monthly d. Quarterly a. Venice International Film Festival e. Half Yearly b. Cannes Film Festival 45) Indian Banking Association has issued advisory c. Toronto International Film Festival requesting banks to waive off the processing, d. Berlin Film Festival documentation, inspection and all other service e. Sundance Film Festival charges for Kisan Credit Card and crop loans up to ______lakh rupees. GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 61 a. 15 lakh rupees b. 10 lakh rupees MAY GK TEST - 02 c. 5 lakh rupees d. 6 lakh rupees

e. 3 lakh rupees 1. The Reserve Bank constituted a six-member 46. Sunderlal Bahuguna, pioneer of world famous panel headed by ______to carry out a “Chipko Movement” in 1974, died on May 21. comprehensive review of the working of Asset He hailed from which state? Reconstruction Companies (ARCs): a. Himachal Pradesh b. Odisha a. Ms. Revathy Iyer b. Sachin Chaturvedi c. Jharkhand d. Chhattisgarh c. Debashish Panda d. Sudarshan Sen e. Uttarakhand e. Tarun Bajaj 47. The National Bamboo Mission recently 2. India celebrates April 21 as the Civil Services launched an MIS (Management Information Day. Who referred civil servants as the 'steel Systems) based reporting platform for which frame of India'? item? a. Dada Bhai Naoroji a. Match sticks b. Agarbatti sticks b. Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel c. Handicrafts d. Furniture c. Dr. Rajendra Prasad e. Mats d. Mahatma Gandhi 48. Y Nuklu Phom, noted conservationist from e. Jawahar Lal Nehru ______is one of the seven winners of the 3. Which country retained its top spot for the fifth prestigious Whitley Award: year in running in the World Press Freedom a. Manipur b. Nagaland Index 2021? c. Meghalaya d. Tripura a. Denmark b. France e. Mizoram c. d. Japan 49. Rivali Park of Mumbai is the first stalled e. Norway housing project completed with funding by 4. Chhau dance is a traditional folk dance of which SWAMIH. What does the letter ‘S’ denote in the state? acronym SWAMIH? a. Kerala b. Na galand a. Social b. Society c. Sikkim d. Jharkhand c. Special d. Sample e. Telangana e. Sanction 5. Which country hosted a two-day Leaders 50. May 15 is observed as the International Family Climate Summit of world leaders in virtual Day. What is this year’s theme for the Day? mode on Earth Day, April 22 to address the a. Family: Let’s live together global climate crisis? b. Living Together - Best Option a. France b. Belgium c. Save Family: Save Society c. Japan d. USA d. Families and New Technologies e. Canada e. Family: Hope for Survival 6. Maulana Wahiduddin Khan who passed away

ANSWER KEY | MAY GK TEST | 1 recently was a renowned ______: a. Islamic scholar b. Spiritual leader Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. c. Author d. Only a 1 A 2 C 3 B 4 C 5 A e. All a, b and c 6 C 7 D 8 D 9 B 10 C 7. The Panchayati Raj Act came into existence in 11 C 12 C 13 B 14 C 15 B 1993 by which amendment of the Indian 16 C 17 C 18 D 19 B 20 B Constitution? 21 D 22 C 23 B 24 A 25 C a. 43rd b. 57th 26 D 27 E 28 C 29 E 30 C c. 73rd d. 88th 31 B 32 E 33 D 34 A 35 C e. 96th 36 D 37 B 38 A 39 C 40 C 8. Which country topped the medal tally along 41 B 42 E 43 C 44 D 45 E with Russia in the World Youth Boxing 46 E 47 B 48 B 49 C 50 D Championships held in Kielce, Poland?

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 62 a. b. Poland c. Attracting more FDI in the country c. Iran d. India d. More flow of credit to desired sectors e. Ukraine e. None of these 9. Rekha M Menon, Chairperson of IT firm 17. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) Accenture India, has been appointed as offers a free medical insurance cover of ______chairperson of which apex business body? lakh rupees per family per year: a. ASSOCHAM b. FICCI a. One b. Two c. NASSCOM d. CII c. Five d. Seven e. CAIT e. Ten 10) Which of the following is NOT correct regarding 18. Which picture won the Oscar Award for the National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT)? Best Picture? a. Under this Scheme, individuals, firms and a. The Father b. Mank corporates can electronically transfer funds c. Minari d. Nomadland b. One can transfer a maximum of Rs. one crore via e. Sound of Metal NEFT 19. The Reserve Bank has capped the tenure of c. NEFT operates in half hourly batches MDs and CEOs of commercial banks to a d. It takes advantage of the core banking solutions maximum of ______years: in banks a. 5 b. 7 e. It is available 24X7 all the 365 days c. 10 d. 12 11) Which of the following assets will NOT be e. 15 considered as a non-performing asset (NPA)? 20. China has named its first-ever Mars rover as a. Standard assets b. Doubtful assets ______after an ancient fire god. c. Loss assets d. Sub-standard assets a. Yan Wang b. Nezha e. None of the above c. Zhurong d. Canshen 12. What was the name of the Indian and French e. Fuxing Navy bilateral exercise held in the Arabian Sea 21. The submarine ‘KRI Nanggala’ went missing on from April 25 to 27? 21 April, 2021, killing all its crew of 53 a. Shastra b. Varun members. It belonged to which country? c. Marinex d. Tarun a. North Korea b. Malaysia e. Meghdoot c. Thailand d. Indonesia 13. Pair of Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das e. South Korea represent India’s top slot in which sports? 22. Which digital financial services provider a. Table tennis b. Rowing launched on April 26 India’s first video-based c. Fencing d. Archery wealth community? e. Athletics a. InstaKash b. MobiKwik 14. M Narasimham, the former Governor of c. Paytm d. PhonPe Reserve Bank of India, was regarded as the e. PayU “Father of ______” in India: 23. Gudi Padwa is a famous traditional festival of a. Commercial Banking b. Banking Reforms which state? c. Financial Sector d. Money Market a. Gujarat b. Rajasthan e. Rural Banking c. Maharashtra d. Karnataka 15. A Living Mountain is a recent novel authored e. Madhya Pradesh by: 24. Some leading not-for -profit environmental and a. Sutapa Basu b. Aravind Adiga social organisations have come together to c. Amitav Ghosh d. Jenny Lawson form the ‘Blue Nature Alliance’ for what e. Jhumpa Lahiri purpose? 16) An increase in CRR by the Reserve Bank of India a. To protect freshwater lakes results in: b. To work for conservation of glaciers a. Decrease in debt of the government c. For cleansing of rivers b. Reduction in liquidity in the economy d. to protect the ocean’s environment

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 63 e. To protect sea beaches from pollution 33. Mark Selby, who won the World Snooker 25. India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Tejas Championship for the fourth time, hails from successfully tested most advanced 5th which country? generation air to air ______missile: a. Spain b. Belgium a. Trident b. Fierex c. Britain d. Venezuela c. Python d. Trishul e. Brazil e. Prahaar 34) The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is an 26. Which country topped the recently released international financial institution that aims to Chandler Good Government Index, 2021? support the building of infrastructure in the a. Sweden b. Finland Asia-Pacific region. Where are the c. Denmark d. Singapore headquarters of AIIB? e. Switzerland a. New Delhi, India b. , China 27. T V Somanathan has been appointed as the new c. Manila, Philippines d. Tokyo, Japan ______Secretary by the Appointments e. Shanghai, China Committee of the Cabinet.: 35) Which of the following taxes is NOT levied by a. Revenue b. Defence the Union Government? c. Home d. Finance a. Customs b. Corporate Tax e. Expenditure c. Professional Tax d. Income Tax 28. Amitabh Chaudhry has been re-appointed as e. Surcharge on Income Tax the Managing Director and Chief Executive 36. Who among the following is NOT a current Officer of which bank? Deputy Governor of RBI? a. PNB b. Axis Bank a. Michael D Patra b. M K Jain c. Yes Bank d. HDFC Bank c. Rajeshwar Rao d. B P Kanungo e. Bandhan Bank e. T Rabi Sankar 29. International Labour Day on May 1 pays 37. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has tributes to the workers’ riot that took place in decided to institute a “ ______Lifetime 1886 in Haymarket in ______, USA: Achievement Award for Excellence in Cinema” a. Michigan b. Detroit to be given at the International Film Festival of c. Los Angeles d. Chicago India (IFFI) every year starting from this year: e. New York a. Raj Kapoor b. V Shantaram 30. RBI joined the Central Banks and Supervisors c. Dada Saheb Phalke d. Satyajit Ray Network for Greening the Financial System e. Bimal Roy (NGFS) as a Member. This network is based at 38) Which of the following is/are considered a which place? policy rate(s) in the hands of the RBI? a. Paris b. Rome 1. Repo rate 2. SLR c. Geneva d. Montreal 3. Base Rate e. Ottawa a. Only 1 b. Only 2 31. The Indian Navy launched “Operation ______- c. Only 3 d. Only 1 and 2 II” to help in faster transportation of medical e. All 1, 2 and 3 oxygen and other requirements from other 39) Banks in India are categorized as Public Sector countries and Private Sector Banks. Which of the a. Samudra Setu b. Madad following types of banks are called Public c. Aarogya d. Maitree Sector Banks? e. Vande Bharat a. Those in which Government of India has a 32. Which country has approved the sale of six P- controlling stake i.e. 51% or more. 81 surveillance aircrafts to India? b. Those which are giving services to poor sections a. France b. Russia of society like those living below poverty line. c. USA d. Britain c. Those which are governed and regulated by the e. Israel Reserve Bank of India only.

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 64 d. Only those banks are called public sector whose redevelopment of Shri Badrinath Dham in shares are traded in stock markets. Uttarakhand. Which one of the following is NOT e. Those in which government owns some part of an oil & gas PSU? capital of the bank. a. IOC b. HPCL 40) When a cheque is crossed, it means that it c. BPCL d. BHEL cannot be: e. GAIL a. Paid in cash when presented for payment 47. RT-PCR test is used to identify Corona cases. b. The payment can be made through a bank Here the letter T stands for what? account only a. Transmission b. Traceable c. The cheque can be paid only to the person whose c. Transcription d. Transfer name appears on the cheque e. Transition d. Both a and b e. All a, b & c 48. The meeting of the foreign ministers of the 41) The Public Ltd companies can raise capital Group of Seven countries - G-7 was held in through public issues. These issues are known ______on May 4-5: as: a. Ottawa b. Brussels i. Initial Public Offering (IPO) c. Tokyo d. London ii. Follow-on Public Offering (FPO) e. Chicago iii. New Shares Offer 49. India and many other countries celebrate iv. First Public Offering Happy Mother’s Day on the ______Sunday of a. Only i b. Only i & ii May: c. Only ii & iii d. Only iv a. First b. Second e. All of these c. Third d. Fourth 42) The ‘Nifty 50’ or ‘Nifty’ is benchmark stock e. Last market index of ______. 50) Sometimes the public limited companies having a. NASDAQ of New York good financial returns offer their shares free of b. National Stock Exchange of India cost to their existing share holders as reward c. Bombay Stock Exchange of India for their loyalty. Such shares are known as – d. Shanghai Stock Exchange of China a. Free shares b. Preference shares e. Taiwan Stock Exchange of Taipei c. Equity shares d. Rights shares 43) Which sector of Indian economy contributes e. Bonus shares maximum to the Gross Domestic Product? ANSWER KEY | MAY GK TEST | 2 a. Primary Sector b. Secondary Sector

c. Tertiary Sector d. Public Sector Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. e. Private sector 1 D 2 B 3 E 4 D 5 D 44. Who has been sworn in as the new Chief 6 E 7 C 8 D 9 C 10 B Minister of Tamil Nadu? 11 A 12 B 13 D 14 B 15 C a. Thambidurai M 16 B 17 C 18 D 19 E 20 C b. Edappadi K Palaniswami 21 D 22 C 23 C 24 D 25 C c. V K Sasikala d. Udhyanidhi Stalin 26 B 27 D 28 B 29 D 30 A e. M K Stalin 31 A 32 C 33 C 34 B 35 C 45. Mount Sinabung, a most active volcano erupted 36 D 37 D 38 D 39 A 40 D once again on May 7, spewing a thick column of 41 B 42 B 43 C 44 E 45 B volcanic ash 2.8 kilometres (1.7 miles) up into 46 D 47 C 48 D 49 B 50 E the sky. It is in which country? a. Malaysia b. Indonesia c. Philippines d. e. Vietnam 46. The top Oil and Gas PSUs of India have signed a MoU with the Shri Badrinath Utthan Charitable

Trust on May 06 for construction and

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 65

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 66 SBI CLERK – PRELIMS (MODEL TEST PAPER)

REASONING ABILITY opposite to the centre) what is the position of A with respect to E?

(Note: Facing the same direction means, if one Directions - These questions consists of a question is facing the centre then the other also faces the and two statements numbered I and II given below centre and vice versa. Facing the opposite it. You have to decide whether the data given in the directions means if one is facing the centre then statements are sufficient to answer the questions. the other faces outside and vice versa) Read both the statements and choose the most I. C stands second to the right of E. E faces appropriate option. outside. C is an immediate neighbour of

both D and B. F stands second to the left of 1) How many people are standing between L D. D faces the same direction as E. and K in the line of 19 people (Note: All are II. Only two people stand between B and E. standing in a straight line facing north)? Both B and E face outside. E is an immediate I. Y stands to the extreme left end of the line. neighbour of both D and F. B is an Only five people stand between Y and K. immediate neighbour of both C and A. A is Only six people stand between K and R. Only not an immediate neighbour of D. four people stand between R and L. a) The data in both statements I and II together II. J stands exactly in the centre of the line. are necessary to answer the question Only two people stand between I and J. Only b) The data in statement II alone is sufficient to five people stand between I and L. I stands answer the question, while the data in to the left of L. K stands third to the left of J. statement I alone is not sufficient to answer the a) The data given in both statements I and II question together are not sufficient to answer the c) The data given in both statements I and II question together are not sufficient to answer the b) The data in both statements I and II together question are necessary to answer the question d) The data either in statement I alone or c) The data in statement II alone is sufficient to statement II alone is sufficient to answer the answer the question, while the data in question statement I alone is not sufficient to answer the e) The data in statement I alone is sufficient to question answer the question, while the data in d) The data either in statement I alone or statement II alone is not sufficient to answer statement II alone is sufficient to answer the the question question 3) How is X related N? e) The data in statement I alone is sufficient to I. X is mother of J. T is married to Z. N is the answer the question while the data in daughter of T. Z is the brother of J. statement II alone is not sufficient to answer II. X is married to Y. Y is the father of J. J is the question married to M and Z is the uncle of N. 2) Among six people – A, B, C, D, E and F standing around a circle some facing the centre while some facing outside (i.e. GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 67 a) The data given in both statements I and II II. P lives on floor numbered three. Only two together are not sufficient to answer the people live between P and O. N lives question immediately above R. N lives on even b) The data in statement I alone is sufficient to numbered floor. answer the question while the data in a) The data given in both statements I and II statement II alone is not sufficient to answer together are not sufficient to answer the the question question c) The data either in statement I alone or b) The data in statement II alone is sufficient to statement II alone are sufficient to answer the answer the question, while the data in question statement I alone is not sufficient to answer the d) The data in both statements I and II together question are necessary to answer the question c) The data in statement I alone is sufficient to e) The data in statement II alone is sufficient to answer the question while the data in answer the question, while the data in statement II alone is not sufficient to answer statement I alone is not sufficient to answer the the question question d) The data either in statement I alone or 4) Among mobiles R, S, T, U, V and W which is statement II alone are sufficient to answer the costlier? question I. T is costlier than only two mobiles. S is e) The data in both statements I and II together costlier than R but not the costliest. V is costlier are necessary to answer the question than only W. II. R is cheaper than only two mobiles. V is Directions – In these questions there are given four costlier than W but cheaper than T. T is cheaper statements followed by five conclusions, one of than R. S is cheaper than U. which definitely does not logically follow (or is not a a) The data in statement II alone is sufficient to possibility or occurrence) from the given answer the question, while the data in statements. That conclusion is your answer. statement I alone is not sufficient to answer the (Note: You have to take the four given statements to be question true even if they seem to be at variance from the given b) The data given in both statements I and II statements disregarding commonly known facts.) together are not sufficient to answer the question 6) Statements: c) The data either in statement I alone or No toy is a doll. statement II alone is sufficient to answer the All guns are toys. question All houses are dolls. d) The data in statement I alone is sufficient to All dolls are baskets. answer the question while the data in Conclusions: statement II alone is not sufficient to answer a) All baskets are toys the question b) No gun is a house e) The data in both statements I and II together c) All guns being baskets is a possibility are necessary to answer the question d) All houses are baskets 5) In a six story building (consisting of floors e) No doll is a gun numbered 1 to 6, wherein the topmost floor 7) Statements: is numbered 6 and the ground floor is Some logics are reasons. numbered 1) each of the six friends namely All reasons are arguments. M, N, O, P, Q and R lives on a different floor All arguments are fights. (Not necessarily in the same order). Who No fight is a discussion. amongst them lives on the lower most floor? Conclusions: I. M lives on floor numbered five. Only two a) All discussions being logics is a possibility people live between M and N. Q lives b) No discussion is an argument immediately above P. c) All logics being discussion is a possibility

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 68 d) All reasons are fights The one who likes Cars has a presentation on Biology. M e) No reason is a discussion has a presentation on Physics and does not like up. The 8) Statements: one who likes Up does not have a presentation on All references are mails. chemistry. O likes Lion King. R does not have a All mentions are references. presentation on History and does not like Up. P does not All comments are mentions. like Up. No mail is a declaration. Conclusions: 11) On which of the following subjects P has a a) No reference is a declaration presentation? b) All comments are mails. a) Chemistry b) English c) No mention is a declaration c) Biology d) All declarations being comments is a d) Other than those given as options possibility e) Geography e) Atleast some mails are mentions 12) Four of the following five form a group as 9) Statements: per the given arrangement. Which of the Some moments are flashes. following does not belong to that group? All moments are seconds. a) R – Cars b) Q – Shrek All flashes are instances. c) N – Up d) M – Frozen No instance is an hour. e) P – Rio Conclusions: 13) Which of the following combinations is a) All hours being second is a possibility definitely correct? b) No second is a flash a) N – Chemistry b) R – History c) No hour is a flash c) L – English d) Atleast some moments are instances d) All the give combinations are definitely e) Atleast some seconds are instances correct 10) Statements: e) P – Geography All circles are spheres. 14) Which of the following combinations of All spheres are rectangles. movie and subject is definitely correct with No rectangle is a pyramid. respect to N? No pyramid is a triangle. a) Up – Chemistry Conclusions: b) Other than those given as options a) Atleast some circles are pyramids c) Shrek – Geography d) Up – Geography b) All triangles being circles is a possibility e) Finding Nemo – History c) All rectangles being triangles is a possibility 15) Four of the following five form a group as d) Atleast some rectangles are circles per the given arrangement. Which of the e) No pyramid is a sphere following does not belong to that group? a) Biology – cars Directions – Study the following information and b) Chemistry – Lion King answer the question. c) Civics - Shrek d) English – Frozen Seven friends namely L, M, N, O, P, Q and R like e) Geography – Up the different animated movies namely, Finding Nemo, 16) Which of the following movies does Q like? Rio, Frozen, Up, Lion King, Shrek and Cars but not a) Shrek necessarily in the same order. Each friend also has a b) Other than those given as options presentation on topics of different subjects namely c) Finding Nemo d) Lion King Civics, History, English, Geography, Chemistry, Physics e) Cars and Biology but not necessarily in the same order. Q has a presentation on Civics and likes neither Directions – In the given question assuming the Frozen nor Up. The one who likes Finding Nemo has a given statements to be true, find which of the given presentation on History. L likes Rio and has a four conclusion I, II, III and IV is true and give your presentation neither on Geography nor on Chemistry. answer accordingly.

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 69 17) Statements: 22) Statements: S > M ≥ D > H ≤ R ≤ T < W P ≥ Q ≤ C ≤ B = M > D Conclusions: Conclusions: I. S > H II. W > H I. M > Q II. D ≤ P III. R < W IV. M > T III. M = Q IV. C > D a) Only I, II and III are true a) None is true b) Only II is true b) Only IV is true c) Only I and II are true c) Only either I or II are true d) Only I and either II or IV are true d) Only II and II are true e) All I, II, III and IV are true e) Only either I or III is true 18) Statements: M > U > L ≤ N; L ≥ Y > A Directions – Study the following information Conclusions: carefully and answer the given question. I. Y < N II. M > N A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H are sitting around a III. N = Y IV. M > A square table in such a way that four of them sit at four a) Only either II or III is true corners of the square while four sit in the middle of b) Only IV and either I or III are true each of the four sides. The ones who sit at the four c) Only IV is true corners face the centre of the table while those who sit d) Only II is true in the middle of the sides face outside. Each one of them e) Only III is true likes a different subject viz. Mathematics, Hindi, English, 19) Statements: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History and Geography. J ≥ A > D = E; L < A < M (None of the information given is necessarily in the Conclusions: same order). I. M < J II. J > L C sits third to the left of the one who likes III. D > L IV. E < M Geography. The one who likes Geography faces outside. a) Only II is true Only two people sit between C and H. The one who likes b) Only I and II are true Mathematics sits to immediate right of H. c) None is true The one who likes Chemistry sits second to d) Only II and IV are true right of G. G is neither an immediate neighbour of H nor e) Only I and II are true C. G does not like the Geography. 20) Statements: Only one person sit between A and the one who Y > F ≤ O ≤ P; F ≥ U < T likes Chemistry. Conclusions: D sits to immediate left of the one who likes I. Y > P II. T < F Physics. G does not like Physics. III. O > T IV. P < U E likes History. E is not an immediate a) Only I is true b) Only II is true neighbour of A. c) Only III is true d) None is true The one who likes Hindi is an immediate e) Only I and IV are true neighbour of E. 21) Statements: The one who likes Biology is an immediate M ≥ N ≤ Y ≤ R < U = Z ≥ E neighbour of F. Conclusions: I. M > R II. Z ≤ R 23) Who among the following sits diagonally III. R > E IV. Z > Y opposite the one who likes Mathematics? a) Only I and II are true a) The one who likes Hindi b) Only IV is true b) D c) None is true c) A d) Only II and IV are true d) The one who likes English e) Only II and III are true e) The one who likes Biology

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 70 24) Who among the following represent the c) 15 m d) 5 m immediate neighbours of the one who likes e) 9 m Chemistry? a) B, F b) C, E Directions – Study the following information to c) B, E d) D, F answer the given question. e) F, H A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H are sitting in a straight 25) Who amongst the following sits exactly line equidistant from each other (but not necessarily in between H and B? the same order). Some of them are facing south while a) C some are facing north. b) The one who likes Hindi (Note: Facing the same direction means. If one c) The one who likes English is facing north then the other also faces north and vice d) G e) A versa. Facing the opposite directions means. If one is 26) Which of the following is true regarding B? facing North then the other faces south and vice versa). a) B is one of the immediate neighbours of D H faces north. C sits at one of the extreme ends b) The one who likes Geography is an of the line. A sits third to the left of C. D is not an immediate neighbour of B immediate neighbour of C. G sits third to the right of A. c) B sits second to left of H B sits to the immediate right of G. B does not sit at any d) B likes History of the extreme ends of the line. Only one person sits e) B is an immediate neighbour of the one who between F and D. G sits second to the left of F. E sits likes Mathematics second to the right of B. Both the immediate neighbours 27) What is the position of the one who likes of G face the same direction. Both the immediate Physics with respect to G? neighbours of A face the opposite directions. E faces the a) Second to the left b) Third to the right same direction as B. c) Fourth to the left d) Second to the right 32) Who among the following sits second to the e) Third to the left right of F? 28) Which of the following subjects does D like? a) H b) D a) Biology b) Mathematics c) C d) G c) Hindi d) Chemistry e) A e) English 33) Which of the following is true with respect 29) Who amongst the following likes to the given information? Geography? a) G sits at one of the extreme ends of line a) B b) F b) B sits exactly between A and F c) H d) A c) B sits third to the right of E e) D d) A faces north e) A sits second to the left of B Directions – Read the given information carefully 34) How many persons in the given and answer the given question. arrangement facing North? Point N is 8 m to the west of Point O. Point P is a) Four b) One 4 m to the south of Point O. Point Q is 4 m to the east of c) Three d) Two point P. Point R is 6 m to the north of Point Q. Point S is e) More than four 8 m to the west of Point R. Point T is 2 m to the south of 35) Four of the following five are alike in a Point S. certain way and so form a group. Which of 30) How far and in which direction is Point T the following does not belong to the group? from Point N? a) B, A b) D, C a) 4 m to the east b) 8 m to the west c) E, B d) A, E c) 4 m to the west d) 6 m to the east e) G, F e) 6 m to the south 31) If Point T is 4 m to the north of Point E, then what is the distance between E and Q? a) 11 m b) 8 m

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 71 QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE 40) Total number of foreign tourists who visited all the three places on Tuesday together is

what per cent of the total number of foreign Directions (Q. 36-40): Study the following graph tourists who visited Wagha Border on carefully to answer the questions – Monday and Wednesday together? Number of foreign tourists who visited three a) 168 b) 124 different places in five different days c) 112 d) 224 e) 212 41) The present ages of Vishal and Shekhar are in the ratio of 14 : 17 respectively. Six years from now, their ages will be in the ratio of 17 : 20 respectively. What is Shekhar’s present age? a) 17 years b) 51 years c) 34 years d) 28 years e) None of these

Directions (Q. 42 – 46): Study the following table carefully to answer the questions that follow- Number of Units Manufactured (in thousands) by

Six different Companies over the Years 36) What is the average number of foreign tourists who visited Wagha Border on all the days together? a) 184 b) 172 c) 186 d) 174 e) None of these 37) On which day was the difference between

the number of foreign tourists who visited

Taj Mahal and Golden Temple, second 42) What is the respective ratio of total number highest? of units manufactured by company A and B a) Monday b) Tuesday together in the year 2009 to those c) Wednesday d) Thursday manufactured by companies C and D e) Friday together in the same year? 38) What is the respective ratio between the a) 312 : 329 b) 317 : 311 number of foreign tourists who visited Taj c) 329 : 312 d) 311 : 317 Mahal on Thursday and the number of e) None of these foreign tourists who visited Golden Temple 43) The number of units manufactured by on Friday? company E in the year 2005 is a) 14 : 9 b) 8 : 13 approximately what per cent of the total c) 13 : 8 d) 13 : 7 number of units manufactured by it in all e) None of these the years together? 39) On which day was the total number of a) 31 b) 27 foreign tourists who visited all the three c) 7 d) 15 places together second lowest? e) 23 a) Monday b) Tuesday

c) Wednesday d) Thursday 44) What is the average number of units e) Friday manufactured by company D in the years

2004 and 2007 together?

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 72 a) 14650 b) 15750 Directions (Q. 51–55): What should come in place of c) 13750 d) 16470 the question mark (?) in the following questions? e) None of these 45) What is the total number of units 51) {(52)2 + (45)2} ÷ ? = 8 manufactured by Company C over all the a) 611.345 b) 487.225 years together? c) 591.125 d) 372.425 a) 783 b) 7830 e) None of these c) 783000 d) 78.3 52) 14.2% of 5500 + 15.6% of ? = 1795 e) None of these a) 6500 b) 6200 46) What is the per cent increase in the number c) 5600 d) 5800 of units manufactured by company F in the e) None of these year 2008 from the previous year? 53) (5696 ÷ 4 - ?) x 5 = 1020 (rounded off to two digits after decimal) a) 1180 b) 1200 a) 3.73 b) 3.62 c) 1240 d) 1220 c) 4.35 d) 4.16 e) None of these e) None of these 54) 118963 – 107958 – 9589 = ? 47) Population of a village increases every year a) 1420 b) 1404 by 15%. If its population in January 2015 c) 1416 d) 1412 was 2,60,000, what will be its population in e) None of these January 2016? 12.5 2.4 + 5.5 0.8 55) = 8 a) 2,99,000 b) 2,86,000 ? c) 3,43,850 d) 3,38,000 a) 3.4 b) 4.8 e) None of these c) 3.8 d) 4.3 48) Shelly could get equal number of Rs. 25 per e) None of these piece, Rs. 40 piece and Rs. 65 per piece

bangles. She spends a total of Rs. 1,560 for Direction (Q. 56- 60): In each of the following a all the bangles. How many of each type did number series is given. Below it a number is given she buy? followed by (a) (b) (c) (d) & (e). You have to a) 12 b) 14 complete the series starting with the number given c) 16 according to the sequence for the given series? d) Cannot be determined 56) e) None of these 5 12 60 340 49) What is the approximate total surface area 7 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) of a right circular cone of height 14 cm and Which of the following number will come in base radius 7 cm? place of (d)? a) 510 b) 511 a) 172 b) 5044 c) 490 d) 505 c) 1012 d) 20164 e) 499 e) 28 50) Two stations A and B are 110 km apart on a 57) straight line. One train starts from A at 7 am and travels towards B at 20 kmph. Another 11 15 38 126 train starts from B at 8 am and travels 7 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) towards A at a speed of 25 kmkph. At what Which of the following number will come in time will they meet? place of (c)? a) 9 am b) 11 am a) 102 b) 30 c) 11:30 am d) 10 am c) 2140 d) 80 e) 12:30 pm e) 424 58) 2 3 8 27 5 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 73 Which of the following number will come in 64) I. x2 – (16)2 = (23)2 – 56 place of (e)? II. y1/3- 55 + 376 = (18)2 a) 184 b) 6 a) x > y b) x  y c) 925 d) 45 c) x < y e) 14 d) relationship between x and y cannot be 59) determined 12 28 64 140 e) x  y 37 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) 12 8 Which of the following number will come in 65) I. + = (x) (x) (x) place of (e)? a) 1412 b) 164 (18)5/ 2 II. y 2 − = 0 c) 696 d) 78 y e) 340 60) a) x > y b) x  y 2 3 9 40.5 c) x < y 4 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) d) relationship between x and y cannot be Which of the following number will come in determined place of (b)? e) x  y a) 486 b) 81 66) I. (36)x + (64) = 0

c) 3645 d) 18 2 e) 6 II. (81)y + (4) = 0 61) The difference between a two-digit number a) x > y and the number obtained by interchanging b) x  y the digits is 36. What is the difference c) x < y between the sum and the difference of the d) relationship between x and y cannot be digits of the number if the ratio between the determined digits of the number is 1 : 2? e) x  y a) 10 b) 9 25 9 c) 11 d) 8 67) I. + =17 (x) (x) (x) e) 7 62) In a lottery, there are 15 boys and 10 girls. (y) 5 (y) 3 Three students are selected at random. II. + = 3 6 What is the probability that 1 girl and 2 (y) boys are selected? a) x > y b) x  y 31 21 c) x < y a) b) 47 46 d) relationship between x and y cannot be determined 22 31 c) d) e) x  y 47 46 68) Three taps A, B and C can fill a tank in 12, 15 21 and 20 hours respectively. If A is open all e) 47 the time and B and C are open for one hour each alternately, in what time will the tank 63) I. x2 – 10x + 21 = 0 be full? II. y2 – 16y + 63 = 0 a) 9 hours b) 7 hours a) x > y b) x  y c) 8 hours d) 10 hours c) x < y e) 11 hours d) relationship between x and y cannot be 69) A and B started a business in partnership determined investing Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 15,000 e) x  y respectively. After six months, C joined them

with Rs. 20,000. What will be B’s share in

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 74 total profit of Rs. 25,000 earned at the end This illustrates what is wrong with the World of 2 years from the starting of the business? Bank. The World Bank has often forgotten the most a) Rs. 8,000 b) Rs. 8,500 basic lessons of development, preferring to lecture the c) Rs. 9,000 d) Rs. 7,500 poor and force them to privatise basic infrastructure, e) Rs. 9,500 which is untenable, rather than to help the poor to 70) A boatman goes 2 km against the current of invest in infrastructure and other crucial sector. The the stream in 1 hour and goes 1 km along Bank’s failure began in the early 1980s when under the the current in 10 minutes. How long will it ideological sway of then American President and British take to go 5 km in stationary water? a) 80 minutes b) 75 minutes Prime Minister it tried to get Africa and other poor c) 70 minutes d) 72 minutes regions to cut back or close down government e) 84 minutes investments and services. For 25 years, the bank tried to get governments out of agriculture, leaving impoverished peasants to fend for themselves. The ENGLISH LANGUAGE result has been a disaster in Africa, with farm

productivity stagnant for decades. The bank also Directions (71-80): Read the following passage pushed for privatization of national health systems, carefully and the questions given below it. Certain water utilities, and road and power networks, and has words/phrases are given in bold to help you locate grossly underfinanced these critical sectors. This them while answering some of the questions. extreme free-market ideology, also called “structural China’s rising power is based on its remarkable adjustment”, went against the practical lessons of economic success. Shanghai’s overall economy is development successes in China and the rest or Asia. currently growing at around 13% per year, thus Practical development strategy recognises that public doubling in size every five or six years. Everywhere investments – in agriculture, health education, and there are start-ups, innovations, and young infrastructure – are necessary complements to private entrepreneurs hungry for profits. In a series of high- investments. The World Bank has instead wrongly seen level meetings between Chinese and African officials, such vital public investments as an enemy of private the advice that the African leaders received from the sector development. Whenever the bank’s ideology Chinese was sound, and more practical than they failed, it has blamed the poor for corruption, typically get from the World Bank. Chinese officials mismanagement, or lack of initiative. Instead of focusing stress the crucial role of public investments, especially its attention on helping the poorest countries to in agriculture and infrastructure, to lay the basis for improve their infrastructure, there has been a crusade private sector-led growth. In a hungry and poor rural against corruption. The good news is that African economy, as China was in the 1970s and as most of governments are getting the message on how to spur Africa is today, a key starting point is to raise farm economic growth and are getting crucial help from productivity. Farms need the benefits of fertilizer, China and other partners that are less wedded to irrigation and high-yield seeds, all of which were a core extreme free-market ideology than the World Bank. part of China’s economical take off. Two other equally They have declared their intention to invest in critical investments are also needed: roads and infrastructure, agriculture modernization, public health, electricity, without which there cannot be a modern and education. It is clear the Bank can regain its economy. Farmers might be able to increase their relevance only if it becomes practical once again, by output, but it wont be able to reach the cities, and the returning its focus to financing public investments in cities won’t be able to provide the country-side with priority sectors. If that happens, the Bank can still do inputs. The government has taken pains to ensure that justice to the bold vision of a world of shared prosperity the electricity grids and transportation networks reach that prompted its creation after World War II. every village in China. China is prepared to help Africa in substantial ways in agriculture, roads, power, health 71) The author’s main objective in writing the and education. And that is not an empty boast. Chinese passage is to leaders are prepared to share new high-yield rice a) make a case for the closure of the World varieties, with their African counterparts and, all over Bank since it promotes US interests over those Africa, China is financing and, constructing basic of other countries. infrastructure. GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 75 b) illustrate how China can play a more while the World Bank favours private sector concrete role in Africa. involvement. c) criticize the World Bank for playing a crucial e) None of these role in China’s development but neglecting 75) What is China’s view on the development of Africa. the transportation and power networks? d) recommend that China adopt the guidelines a) Development in these sectors is not as of the World Bank to sustain growth. important as investing in agriculture. e) use China’s success as an example of the b) Resources need to be diverted from the rural changes required in World Bank ideology. to the urban areas to meet the needs of the 72) What advice have African leaders received growing population in cities. from their Chinese counterparts? c) The government should be solely responsible a) Focus primarily on innovation, start-ups and for developing these services so all citizens urban development. have access to them. b) To ensure all citizens benefit from economic d) It is more important to develop and maintain development, investment, not the private transportation networks and power grids in sector. rural areas. c) Improve agricultural output through e) None of these government investment to stimulate economic 76) Which of the following cannot be said about growth. structural adjustment? a) None b) Only (C) a) It is the World Bank’s free market ideology c) Only (B) d) Both (A) & (B) adapted by Asian countries. e) None of these b) Under this strategy public sector investment 73) What effect has the World Bank policy had in priority sectors is discouraged. on African nations? c) As a development strategy it has failed in a) The African government has restricted Africa. private sector investment in agriculture. d) With this strategy there has been a lack of b) Africa has focused more on health and adequate investment in critical sectors. education rather than on agriculture. e) It is an ideology advocated by the World c) The agriculture sector in these countries is Bank which needs to be modified to facilitate not as productive as it could be. economic growth. d) US and Britain have volunteered substantial 77) Which of the following is NOT true in the aid to Africa as Africa has complied with World context of the passage? Bank ideology. a) China’s involvement in Africa so far has been e) None of these restricted to advising its leaders. 74) What is the difference in the Chinese and b) The World Bank was created by the US and World Bank approach to development? Britain for the sole purpose of furthering their a) Unlike the World Bank, China favours the interest. public sector and restricts private sector c) China’s economy was once in the same state participation in crucial sectors. as many African countries are today. b) Contrary to China’s strategy of dependence a) None b) Only (B) on the private sector, the World Bank c) Only (A) d) Both (A) & (B) pressurises governments to take the lead in e) None of these investing in agriculture. 78) What has/have been the outcome/s of c) While the World Bank has focused on Shanghai’s economy prospering? agriculture, China’s priority has been rooting a) The World Bank has changed its out corruption so that investment in development strategy. infrastructure is utilised appropriately. b) China’s importance globally has been d) The Chinese government has retained enhanced. control over essential services like transport c) Rural areas are being neglected to promote development of cities.

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 76 a) Only (B) b) Both (A) & (B) e) attractive c) Both (B) & (C) d) All (A), (B), & (C) 85) empty e) None of these a) full b) objective c) meaningful d) occupied 79) Why is the author optimistic about Africa’s e) intelligent future? a) The World Bank has committed itself to Directions (86-89): Read each sentence to find out invest huge sums in Africa’s development. whether there is any error in it. The error, if any, b) Africa has decided to adopt a structural will be in one part off the sentence. The number of adjustment ideology which has benefited many that part is the answer. If there is no error, the nations. answer is (e). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any).

c) Africa has committed itself to adopting 86) It is not worthy(a)/the company’s China’s strategy for economic growth. reputation(b/to compromise on quality(c)/ for d) China has urged the World Bank to waive the the sake of profit. (d) No error (e) interest on its loans to Africa. e) None of these 87) The company which has (a) /won the 80) What advice has the author given the World government contract (b)/ also plans to invest Bank? (c)/ with the power sector. (d)/ No error (e)

a) Support China’s involvement in developing 88) Implementing these measures (a) / will help Africa the government (b)/ to save more of (c)/ 400 b) Reduce the influence of the US and Britain in crores each year. (d)/No error (e) its functioning c) Adopt a more practical ideology of structural 89) You have failed to produce (a)/ no evidence to adjustment support (b)/ the charge that he (c)/ is responsible for the error. (d) /No error (e) d) Change its ideology to one encouraging both

public and private sector investment in basic Directions (90-93): Which of the phrases (a), (b), (c) infrastructure and (d) given below should replace the phrase given e) Focus on fighting corruption rather than in bold in the following sentences to make the interfering in the governance of developing sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is countries correct as it is and there is no correction required, mark (e), i.e. ‘No correction required’ as the answer.

Directions (81-83): Choose the word which is most 90) The minimum eligibility age shall be less to nearly the SAME in meaning as the word printed in sixty years to allow more senior citizens to bold as used in the passage. avail of the benefits of the scheme,

a) should be lowered b) should be lower 81) sway c) being lesser d) must be lessen a) fluctuate b) influence e) No correction required c) govern d) dependence 91) The latest study by Nasscom indicates possibly e) unsteady short of five lakh qualified engineers in the IT 82) core industry. a) centre b) heart a) the possible shortage off c) adequate d) intermediate b) possibly short by e) essential c) possibility of shortage 83) stress d) a possible shortage of a) highlight b) strain e) No correction required c) taxing d) tension 92) China has to be prepared to meet many age- e) emphasis related social and financial challenges in the

coming years. Directions (84-85): Choose the word which is most a) is been preparing OPPOSITE in meaning of the word printed in bold as b) was prepared used in the passage. c) have been prepared 84) untenable d) has preparations a) viable b) unsound e) No correction required c) consistent d) superior

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 77

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 78 93) It is necessary to ascertain that we can do to 98) Which of the following should be the attract investment to the manufacturing sector. SECOND sentence in the paragraph? a) how we can do b) what we can do a) B b) C c) more can be done d) that has been done c) D d) E e) F e) No correction required 99) Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence in the paragraph? Directions (94-95): In each of the following a) A b) B sentences there are two blank spaces. Below each c) C d) D e) E five pairs of words have been denoted by numbers 100) Which of the following should be the THIRD (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e). Find out which pair of words sentence in the paragraph? can be filled up in the blanks in this sentence in the a) A b) B same sequence to make the sentence meaningfully c) C d) D e) E complete. ANSWER KEY 94) The Chairman in his speech stated the _____ in company profits was _____ to team Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. building. 1 B 2 E 3 B 4 A 5 B a) incline, owing b) rise, liable 6 A 7 C 8 D 9 B 10 A c) slump, accountable d) surge, due 11 D 12 E 13 C 14 D 15 D e) plunge, response 16 A 17 A 18 B 19 D 20 D 95) The main _____ of Healthcare reforms is _____ 21 B 22 E 23 A 24 C 25 E medical care to every citizen. a) purpose, available b) cause, providing 26 E 27 E 28 A 29 B 30 A c) challenge, accessing 31 B 32 B 33 E 34 A 35 B d) assurance, qualified 36 B 37 E 38 D 39 A 40 E e) focus, extending 41 C 42 C 43 D 44 B 45 E

Directions (96-100): Rearrange the following six 46 A 47 A 48 A 49 E 50 D sentences (A), (B), (C), (D), (E) and (F) in the proper 51 C 52 A 53 D 54 C 55 D sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then 56 B 57 A 58 C 59 A 60 D answer the questions given below them. 61 D 62 B 63 E 64 E 65 A (A) In fact, today, social entrepreneurship is no different 66 A 67 C 68 B 69 D 70 B from starting a profit-motivated company. (B) The major challenge they face is employee selection 71 E 72 E 73 C 74 E 75 E and retention. 76 A 77 D 78 E 79 C 80 D (C) For decades social development in India meant 81 B 82 E 83 A 84 A 85 C charity. 86 A 87 D 88 C 89 B 90 A (D) However, the challenges social organizations 91 D 92 E 83 B 94 D 95 E experience are tougher. (E) This is because while volunteering for social work is 96 B 97 2 98 2 99 C 100 A

not new, attracting talented people and tapping their potential at lower costs is difficult. SOLUTIONS (F) In recent years, however, economic changes have brought business sense and professionalism to the 1) b): From statement I and II, we get sector.

96) Which of the following should be the FIFTH

sentence in the paragraph?

a) A b) B c) C d) D 2) e): Hint – From Statement I e) E

97) Which of the following should be the SIXTH (LAST) sentence in the paragraph? a) B b) C c) D d) E e) F ‘A’ is second to the left of ‘E’ and fourth right of E.

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 79 From Statement II 7) c):

Or Two possibilities come. So answer is ‘A’ is second to right of E or A is second to the left of E. Hence we cannot decide the result.

3) b): From Statement I 8) d):

Hence ‘X’ is grandmother of N. From Statement II

9) b):

Can’t say about ‘N’. 4) a): By combining both the statements mobile is costliest. U > S > R > T > V > W 5) b): From statement II ‘R’ lives on the lower most floor. 10) a):

6) a):

11 – 16): Name of the Movie Subject Friends L Rio English M Frozen Physics

N Up Geography

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 80 O Lion King Chemistry ii) T < F (x) P Finding History iii) O > T (x) Nemo iv) P < U (x) Q Shrek Civics Hence, ‘D’ is true. R Cars Biology 21) b): Hint – Statement: M ≥ N ≤ Y ≤ R < U = Z ≥ E 17) a): Hint – Statement: Solution: S > M ≥ D > H ≤ R ≤ T < W i) M > R (x) Conclusions: ii) Z ≤ R (x) I. S > H → True iii) R > E (x) ✓ II. W > H → True iv) Z > Y ( ) Hence ‘B’ is true. III. R < W → True 22) e): IV. M > T → False Hint – Statement: P ≥ Q ≤ C ≤ B = M > D Hence, only I, II and III are true. Solution: Hence ‘A’ is true. i) P ≥ Q ≤ C ≤ B = M > D 18) b): Hint – Statement:

M > U > L ≤ N; L ≥ Y > A Same sign Solution: M > Q (✓)  ii) P ≥ Q ≤ C ≤ B = M > D

opposite sign D ≤ P (x) iii) M = Q (✓) i) Y < N False M ≥ Q (✓) ii) M > N False Either I or III true. iii) N = Y False iv) P > Q ≤ C ≤ B = M < D iv) M > A (same sign) True Hence ‘C’ is true. opposite sign 19) d): C > D (x) Hint – Statement: J ≥ A > D = E; L < A < M Hence ‘E’ is true. Solution: 23 – 29):

i) M < J (x) ii) J > L (✓) iii) D > L (x) ∵ (opposite sign) iv) E < M (✓) Hence ‘D’ is true. 20) d): 30 – 31): Statement: Y > F ≤ O ≤ P; F ≥ U < T Solution:

i) Y > P (x)

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 81 32 - 35): After one hour one train covered distance = 20 km Remaining Distance = 110 – 20 = 90 km Relative speed = 20 + 25 = 45 km/hr

90 They will meet After = = 2 hrs 130+190+120+200+220 860 45 36. (b) = = 172 5 5 Meeting Time = 8 am & 2 hrs = 10 am 37. (a) Monday 51. (c) (2704 + 2025)  ? = 8 4729 38. (d) 260 : 140 ? = = 591.125 13 : 7 8 39. (a) Monday 52. (a) 781 + 15.6% of ? = 1795 537 ? = 6500 40. (e) 100 = 212% 250 41. (c) 53. (d) (1424 - ?)  5 = 1020 ? = 1220 54. (c) 1416 30+ 4.4 55. (d) = ? 8 4.3 = ? 56. (b) The series is x8 – 28, x7 – 24, x6 – 20, …

57. (a) The series is x1 + 4, x2 + 8, x3 + 12 …….

58. (c) The series is x1 + 1, x2 + 2, x3 + 3, ….. 1 : 2 59. (a) The series is x2 + 4, x2 + 8, x2 + 12 ……. S’s percentage = 17  2 = 34 years 60. (d) The series is x1.5, x3, x4.5, ……… 42. (c) 32.9 : 31.2 36 329 : 312 61. (d) Always divided by 9, = 4 9 14.1 43. (d)  100 = 15.3  15%  Difference between two digits = 4 91.2 Difference between their ratio = 1 16200+15300 44. (b) = 15750  1 = 4 2  No is 48 45. (d) 78.3 (4 + 8) – (8 – 4) = 8 16.7 −16.1 15 14 46. (a)  100 = 3.73 10  16.1 10C 15 C 10 15 7 62. (b) 1 2 21 = 115 25 25  24  23 25 24 23 47. (a) 2,60,000  = 299000 C3 100 3 21 48. (a) Total Expenditure for Rs. = 25+40 + 65 21 = Rs. 130 46 1560 2 No. of Pcs. = = 12 Pcs 63. (e) x − 10x + 21 = 0 130 y2 – 16y + 63 = 0 50. (d) −7, −3 −7, −9 x = 7, 3 y = 7, 9 x y 7 7 3 9

x = y x < y

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 82 x < y 69. (d) A B C x < y 20,00024 15,000  24 20,000  18  x  y 4 : 3 : 3 64. (e) x2 – 256 = 529 – 56 B’s share = 2500  3 y1/3 + 321 = 324 10 = 25,000 x2 = 729 = 7500/- 1 = 2500 1/3 y = 3 70. (b) Upstrem (US) = 2 km/hr x =  27 y = 27 Downstrem = (DS) = 1 km per 10 mins x y or 6 km/hr D +U 2 + 6 27 27 S of man = S S + = 4 km/hr −27 2 2 x = y Time taken by him for 5 km in D x < y stationary water =  x  y S 5 20 185/2 = hr =  60 = 75 minutes 65. (a) = x y2 =  y2  y 4 x y 81. In the given sentence 'Sway' means 'influence' 5/2 = 18 82. Here, 'core' means 'important' so 'essential' is 1 5 2 2+  the right option x = 20 y 2 = 185/2  y = 182 5 = 18 83. Here, 'stress' refers to 'highlight'  y = 18  x > y 84. 'untenable' means 'indefensible' so the 66. (a) 6x + 8 = 0 opposite should be 'viable' 9y + 16 = 0 85. in the sentence, 'empty' refers to 'meaningless' x = −8/6 = −4/3 y = −16/9 so opposite should be 'meaningful' x y 86. Add ‘of’ after ‘worthy’ x > y − 4 /3 −16/9 87. Replace ‘with’ by ‘in’  x > y 88. Replace ‘of’ by ‘than’ 34 89. Replace ‘no’ by ‘any’ 67. (c) = 17 x 90. 'Shall be less' should be replaced by 'should be lowered' 2 y + 5 y 3 = 91. 'A possible shortage of' is the right option 6 y 92. No error x = 2 7y = 18 93. 'what we can do' should be used y = 18/7 x y x < y 2 18/7  x < y 68. (b) A − 12 hrs 5l

B − 15 hrs 4l 60 l C − 20 hrs 3l

A + B, A + C 1st hour 2nd hour 5 + 4 = 9l 4 + 3 = 8l In 2 hours tanker filled = 17 51 + 9 = 60

6hrs next hour 7 hrs

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 83

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MAY 2021 19) Robert Lewandowski won the European Golden 1) Which day of May has been selected to observe “No Boot. He hails from which country? Poland Tobacco Day”? 31st 20) European Golden Boot is awarded to recognize 2) What is the theme of this year’s No Tobacco Day? which achievement? For scoring highest number Quit Tobacco to be a Winner of goals in football league 3) Bashar Al-Assad has been re-elected as the 21) World Hunger Day is observed on which day of May? President of ______after winning the election for 28th the fourth time: Syria 22) The United Nation’s which number sustainable 4) Which city is the capital of Syria? Damuscus development goal- SDG is associated with achieving 5) RBI imposed a penalty of Rs 10 crore on which bank zero hunger? Second on May 28 for violation of provisions of the Banking 23) Which day of May has been selected for observing Regulation Act? HDFC Bank World Menstrual Hygiene Day? 28th 6) The headquarters of HDFC Bank are located at 24) Achinta Sheuli is the national champion in the men’s which place? Mumbai 73-kilogram category in which sports? 7) UNO celebrates which international Day on May 29 Weightlifting to pay respects to persons involved in UN 25) Achinta Sheuli secured the silver medal at the Junior peacekeeping mission? International Day of UN World Weightlifting Championships 2021 held at Peacekeepers which place? Tashkent, Uzbekistan 8) Which global day is observed on May 29 to 26) Which Indian scientist has been honoured with the commemorate the first-time scaling of Mount esteemed Rudolf V Schindler Award? Dr D Everest? International Everest Day Nageshwar Reddy 9) The Tibetans call the Mt Everest by which name? 27) Which global organization confers the Rudolf V Chomo-Lungma Schindler Award? American Society of 10) In Nepal, the Mt Everest is known by which name? Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Sagarmatha 28) Phil Mickelson, American professional golfer, 11) Amnesty International Day is observed on May 28. created history by winning the 2021 PGA Where are the headquarters of Amnesty Championship in which regard? Being the oldest International? London person to win this championship at age of 50 12) The Ministry of Women and Child Development in 29) Which Indian civil servant has been honoured with collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs the President’s Award by International Hockey plans to set up 10 OSCs across nine countries. What Federation for his contribution in promotion of is OSC? One Stop Centre hockey? V Karthikeyan Pandian 13) The OSCs are set up under which apex national 30) Who is the author of the recently published novel? body? National Mission for Empowerment of Paul Pickering Women 31) “Sach Kahun Toh” (Truly Speaking) is the 14) Guillermo Lasso has been sworn in as the President autobiography of which veteran Bollywood actress? of which country? Ecuador Neena Gupta 15) International Eni Award is conferred for showing 32) Which Nobel laureate has authored the novel Klara outstanding excellence in which field? Energy and the Sun? Kazuo Ishiguro Research 33) All Time Favourites for Children is a collection of 16) Who has been honoured with this year’s short stories by which noted India author? Ruskin International Eni Award 2020? Bharat Ratna Bond Professor C.N.R. Rao 34) India recently added 5th generation Air-to-Air 17) The International Eni Award is sponsored by which Missile (AAM) in its air-to-air weapons capability. energy giant of Italy? Eni What is its name? Python-5 18) The WHO signed a MoU with which country to 35) Python-5 air to air missile has been supplied by launch the First WHO Biohub Facility? Switzerland which country? Israel

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 84 36) Manoj Das, a prolific Indian author who wrote in 57) Who has been appointed as the Deputy Governor of ______and English languages, passed away on the RBI for a period of three years? T Rabi Sankar April 27: Odia 58) World Laughter Day is celebrated on which Sunday 37) India has been placed at which position among 104 of May? First nations in the Chandler Good Government Index 59) International Firefighters’ Day is celebrated on 2021? 49th which day of May? Fourth 38) Which country topped the Chandler Good 60) Bengaluru based Shyamala Ganesh, a teacher of Government Index 2021? Finland Japanese has been honoured with Order of Rising 39) Who has been appointed as the new Finance Sun by which country? Japan Secretary by the Appointments Committee of the 61) With which country India adopted an ambitious Cabinet? T V Somanathan ‘Roadmap 2030’ to elevate bilateral ties to a 40) Amitabh Chaudhry has been re-appointed as the ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’? Britain Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of 62) World Asthma Day is observed on ______Tuesday which bank? Axis Bank of May: First 41) China launched a robot prototype named ‘NEO-01’, 63) May 05 is observed as ______Hygiene Day with active in the Earth’s low orbit for what purpose? To support from WHO: Hand capture debris left behind by other spacecrafts 64) The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has 42) Name the former Attorney General, veteran lawyer decided to institute the “______Lifetime and Padma Vibhushan awardee who passed away Achievement Award for Excellence in Cinema” to on April 30: Soli Sorabjee pay tributes to the legendary filmmaker: Satyajit 43) International Labour Day on May 01 commemorates Ray the happenings of May 4, 1886, the Haymarket 65) What is the cash award given with the “Satyajit Ray massacre in ______, USA? Chicago Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in 44) ______joined the Central Banks and Supervisors Cinema”? Rs. Ten lakh Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS), 66) Ajit Singh, former Union Minister, founder and Paris as a Member: RBI current chief of ______passed away on May 6: 45) ______, renowned TV journalist and news anchor Rashtriya Lok Dal passed away at a very young age of just 41: Rohit 67) Name the President of the Dravida Munnetra Sardana Kazhagam party who has been sworn in as the new 46) Rohit Sardana was the host of the debate show Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu? M K Stalin ‘Dangal’ on which popular news channel? Aaj Tak 68) N Rengasamy, Chief of the NR Congress has been 47) NASA’s Perseverance rover successfully created, for sworn in as the Chief Minister of ______: the first time, ______from the thin atmospheric Puducherry carbon dioxide present on Mars: Mars 69) Mount Sinabung, one of the most active volcanoes, 48) May 2 is observed as the World ______Day to raise erupted once again on May 7. It is in which country? awareness about which fish? Tuna Indonesia 49) Pandit Debu Chaudhuri, renowned ______70) Global rating agency S&P slashed India’s GDP maestro passed away following COVID-19 related growth rate to 9.8%. What is full form of S&P? complications: Sitar Standard and Poor’s 50) The Indian Navy launched “Operation Samudra 71) The top Oil and Gas PSUs of India have signed a MoU Setu-II” in first week of May for what purpose? To to develop which famous pilgrimage center in urgently bring medical oxygen and other Uttarakhand? Shri Badrinath Dham requirements from other countries 72) Which country successfully sent a new remote 51) Which country approved the proposed sale of six P- sensing satellite, Yaogan-34, into space? China 8I aircraft to Indian Navy? USA 73) The meeting of the foreign ministers of the Group of 52) P-81 is what type of military aircraft? Maritime Seven countries - G-7 was held in which place? surveillance London 53) Which international day is celebrated on May 3 to 74) Kami Rita, the 51-year-old Sherpa guide from Nepal pay gratitude to journalists who bring us honest and created which new record? Scaling Mt Everest 25 real news? World Press Freedom Day times 54) Which article of Indian Constitution assures 75) World Red Cross Day is celebrated on May 8 to freedom of press? Article 19(1)(a) commemorate the birth day of its founder. Who was 55) Which former Lt. Governor of Delhi, Goa and twice he? Henri Dunant Governor of J&K passed away recently on May 3? 76) Where is the headquarter of Red Cross? Geneva, Jagmohan Switzerland 56) Mark Selby of ______won the World Snooker 77) World Thalassemia Day is observed on May 08. It is Championship for the fourth time: Britain associated with which ailment? Blood disorder

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 85 78) India and many other countries celebrate Happy 100) From which country outflow of remittances was the Mother’s Day on ______Sunday of May: Second highest in the year 2020? USA 79) Who has been declared Laureus Sportswoman of the 101) The National Bamboo Mission launched an MIS Year? Naomi Osaka based reporting platform for ______production: 80) Naomi Osaka is a noted player of which sports form? Agarbatti stick Tennis 102) What is the name of the China’s robotic rover that 81) Laureus Sportsman of the Year award has been won landed on Mars? Zhurong by: Rafael Nadal 103) Who has been re-appointed as Nepal's Prime 82) Which sportsperson was awarded Laureus Lifetime Minister on May 14? K P Sharma Oli Achievement Award? Tennis legend Ms. Billie 104) Whitley Awards are given for recognizing Jean King, USA outstanding contribution in which field? Nature’s 83) The navies of India and Indonesia carried out a conservation military drill 'Passage' exercise (PASSEX) on May 8 105) What is another popular name for the Whitley in which area? In the Southern Arabian Sea awards? Green Oscar 84) Himanta Biswa Sarma has been elected as the new 106) Which Indian is one of the seven winners of this chief minister of which state? Assam year’s prestigious Whitley Award? Y Nuklu Phom, 85) What is the theme of this year’s World Migratory Nagaland Day observed on May 8 (second Sunday)? Sing, Fly, 107) The central government launched a Rs 25,000 crore- Soar – Like a Bird! SWAMIH fund for what purpose? For funding 86) The Drugs Controller General of India has given its housing projects facing acute financial crunch approval for the emergency use of the anti-COVID 108) What is the full form of SWAMIH? Special Window drug developed by DRDO. What is its name? 2- for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) 109) Which company is responsible for managing the 87) The DRDO has collaborated with which drug firm to SWAMIH fund? SBICap Ventures Ltd. produce 2-deoxy-D-glucose drug? Dr Reddy’s 110) Which union ministry is responsible for the Laboratories, Hyderabad administration of the SWAMIH Fund? Ministry of 88) The Meeting of the European Council held on May 9 Finance was hosted by which country? Portugal 111) International Family Day is observed on which date? 89) How many countries are the member of European May 15 Union? 27 112) What is the theme of this year’s International Family 90) Raghunath Mohapatra, eminent sculptor, architect, Day? Families and New Technologies and Rajya Sabha member passed away recently. He 113) Which union minister has been honoured with the hailed from which state? Odisha International Invincible Gold Medal? Dr Ramesh 91) ______became the first Indian state to have a real- Pokhriyal Nishank time digital flood reporting system Flood Reporting 114) Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank is heading which and Information Management System (FRIMS): union ministry? Ministry of Education Assam 115) Padma Bhushan Prof. M S Narasimhan passed away 92) National Technology Day is celebrated on May 11 to on May 16. He was an eminent ______of India? commemorate the day on which India successfully Mathematician test-fired its first ______: Nuclear bomb in 1998 116) Italian Open Tennis Tournament was held in which 93) The World Food Prize was started by which great Italian city? Rome Nobel laureate? Dr. Norman Borlaug 117) Iga Swiatek, 2winner of the women’s singles title at 94) Dr. Norman Borlaug is remembered for his the Italian Open, hails from which country? Poland contribution in developing high yield disease 118) Andrea Meza, winner of Miss Universe 2020 title is resistant varieties of which crop? Wheat beauty queen of which country? Mexico 95) International Nurses Day is observed on May 12 to 119) Who has been appointed as the Head Coach of Indian commemorate the birth day of which legendary Cricket Team (Senior Women)? Ramesh Powar nurse? Florence Nightingale 120) Who secured the top spot-on Fortune magazine's 96) What was the popular nick name of Florence list of the world's 50 greatest leaders? Jacinda Nightingale? Lady with the lamp Ardern, PM of New Zealand 97) Jose J Kattoor has been appointed as the ______of 121) Sir David Attenborough has been named as the the Reserve Bank of India: Executive Director (ED) “______” of the UN Climate Change Conference: 98) Who is the chairman of the board of directors of RBI? People’s Advocate Shaktikanta Das, Governor RBI 122) The UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), is 99) According to the World Bank’s latest Migration and scheduled to be held in ______, Scotland in November Development Brief, which country received highest 2021: Glasgow amount of inward remittances in 2020? India 123) National Dengue Day is observed on which day of May month? 16th

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 86 124) Dengue is transmitted by the infective bite of which 144) World’s largest ever reported iceberg has been mosquito? Aedes Aegypti sighted in which area? Weddell Sea in Southern 125) May 17 is dedicated to promote public awareness Ocean about which common ailment and its prevention? 145) Anti-Terrorism Day on May 21 marks the death Hypertension anniversary of which great Indian leader? Rajiv 126) Which group of Palestinian militants was engaged in Gandhi a fierce battle with Israel in the mid of May? Hamas 146) Which Bank launched its fully digitised, end-to-end, 127) Severe Cyclone Tauktae devastated large areas of Loan Processing System (LPS) for its MSME and Agri which part of Indian coast? Western coast borrowers? IDBI Bank 128) Raghunandan Lal Bhatia, Congress stalwart, died of 147) International Tea Day is observed across the world Covid in Amritsar. He represented which Lok Sabha on which date? May 21 constituency six times? Amritsar 148) The 2022 FIFA under-17 Women’s World Cup will 129) As per new RBI guidelines, how much money can be be held in ______from October 11 to 30, 2022: India now withdrawn from online wallets through 149) International Day for Biodiversity is observed on ATMs/PoS machines? Up to Rs. 2,000 per which day of May? 22nd transaction, maximum 10,000 in a month 150) Who is the winner of this year’s prestigious 130) Moctar Ouane has been re-appointed as the Prime Templeton Prize? World-famous conservationist Minister of Mali, a landlocked country in ______and environmentalist Jane Goodall of UK Africa: Western 151) The Templeton Prize is given by which 131) Arjan ‘Singh’ Bhullar, winner of the ONE organization? John Templeton Foundation, Heavyweight World Title at the top-level MMA Philadelphia, USA (Mixed Martial Arts) Championship, Singapore, hails 152) What is the amount of cash award given in from which country? Canada Templeton Prize? $ 1.5 million 132) Penpa Tsering has been elected as the new ______of 153) Who topped the Forbes list of the world's 10 the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile: President highest-earning athletes, having made $180 million 133) Jagannath Pahadia, the first Dalit Chief Minister of in 2020? Conor McGregor ______, succumbed to death due to COVID-19 at the 154) Conor McGregor is associated with which sports? age of 89 on May 19: Rajasthan Mixed Martial Arts – MMA 134) What is the theme of this year’s World Metrology 155) Conor McGregor is citizen of which nation? Ireland Day observed on May 20? Measurement for 156) What is the theme of this year’s World Turtle Day? Health Turtle Rocks! 135) The World Bee Day is observed on which day of 157) World famous sea turtle hatching site Gahirmatha May? 20th beach is in which Indian state? Odisha 136) Which state emerged at the top in establishing 158) The eruption of Mount Nyiragongo volcano sent Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs) under the about 5,000 people fleeing from the city of Goma in Ayushman Bharat Program? Karnataka which country? Democratic Republic of the 137) Which state stood first in implementation of the Congo Smart City Mission? Jharkhand 159) Max Verstappen of team Red Bull won the Formula 138) Smart City Mission is the flagship project of which One championship in Monaco Grand Prix. He hails union ministry? Ministry of Urban Development from which country? Netherlands 139) China successfully sent Haiyang-2D (HY-2D) 160) Name the former Chairman of the Atomic Energy satellite into orbit on May 19 for what purpose? Commission and a veteran Nuclear Scientist who Ocean monitoring passed away recently: Dr. Srikumar Banerjee 140) The Indian Navy decommissioned on May 21 its first 161) Who has been re-elected as the President of destroyer warship named ______: INS Rajput International Hockey Federation (FIH)? Narinder 141) Sunderlal Bahuguna, noted environmentalist passed Batra away on May 21. He was pioneer of which world- 162) International Hockey Federation (FIH) is based at famous conservation movement? “Chipko which place? Lausanne (Switzerland) Andolan” in 1974 in Uttarakhand to prevent 163) The Finance Ministry notified final rules for raising felling of trees foreign investment limit to _____per cent (from 49% 142) Reserve Bank decided to transfer over ____ billion earlier) in the insurance sector: 74 rupees as surplus to Centre for nine months ended 164) Which organization announced the launch of the March 31, 2021: 99 'School of Hope and Empowerment' (S.H.E.) at the 143) The one million Euro Millennium Technology Prize 2021 UNESCO World Conference on Education for is given by the Technology Academy of which Sustainable Development? Tata Communications country? Finland 165) India observes National Endangered Species Day on ______Friday of May: Third

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 87 166) Which international body maintains the most 187) ‘Whereabouts’ is the title of the latest novel written comprehensive Red List of Threatened Species by ? Jhumpa Lahiri around the world? International Union for 188) Who is the author of the popular novel titled “The Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland Hard Crowd”? Rachel Kushner 167) May 24 is devoted to raise awareness at global level 189) Which UN agency supports the celebration of the about which ailment? Thyroid disorders World Day for Safety and Health at Work on April 168) ______won the prestigious Etienne Glichitch Award 28? International Labour Organization (ILO) given by the International Hockey Federation: 190) The Ayushman Bharat Diwas observed on April 30 Hockey India is associated with which national health 169) Billboard 2021 Music Awards are the popularity- scheme? Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana based music awards of which country? USA (PMJAY) 170) Who won the 10 Billboard 2021 Music Awards, 191) Which picture won the Oscar for the Best Picture for including the iconic Top Artist Trophy? The 2020? Nomadland Weeknd 192) Ms. Chloé Zhao of USA won the Oscar for the best 171) Anatole Collinet Makosso has been appointed as the director for which movie? Nomadland new ______of Republic of Congo: Prime Minister 193) Who won the Oscar for the Best Actor in a leading 172) The Shergaon Biodiversity Management Committee role? Anthony Hopkins for The Father (BMC) won the ‘Best BMC in India’ award. It is in 194) The RBI has capped the tenure of MD & CEO of which state? Arunachal Pradesh commercial banks to a maximum of _____ years: 15 173) Which international day is observed every year in 195) The Asian Development Bank has projected Indian May on the first full moon day, also known as economy to grow at _____ per cent in the current Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima? Vesak Day financial year: 11 174) Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, the 1985-batch IPS officer of 196) China has named its first-ever Mars rover as Maharashtra cadre, has been appointed as the next ______after an ancient fire god: Zhurong Director of which apex organization? CBI – Central 197) What is the official name of the China’s space Bureau of Investigation agency? China National Space Administration 175) Cyclone Yaas, a ‘very severe’ cyclone devastated the 198) The submarine ‘KRI Nanggala (402)’, that went beach towns in which two states? North Odisha missing on 21 April, 2021, killing all the 53 mariners and adjoining West Bengal on board, belonged to which country? Indonesia 176) Which union Ministry plans to set up a National 199) Which leading Indian digital financial services Mission on the use of biomass in coal-based thermal provider launched on April 26 India’s first video- power plants? The Union Power Ministry based wealth community? Paytm 177) From which country India received highest amount 200) Some leading not-for -profit environmental and of FDI in 2020-21? Singapore social organisations came together to form the Blue 178) Which Indian state received the highest amount of Nature Alliance for what purpose? To protect the FDI in 2020-21? Gujarat oceans from environmental threats APRIL 2021 201) India and the US held a two-day naval PASSEX 179) What was the name of the Indian and French Navy exercise on March 28-29 in which place? Bay of bilateral exercise held in the Arabian Sea from April Bengal 25 to 27? VARUNA 2021 202) Mahinder Giri, range officer of Rajaji Tiger Reserve 180) The Hyundai Archery World Cup was hosted by was selected recently for which international which country? Guatemala award? International Ranger Award 181) Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das are the top India 203) Which country topped the medal tally in the ISSF players of which sports? Archery World Cup at Delhi? India 182) Name the renowned Hindustani classical vocalist 204) Which country successfully test-fired a nuclear- from Banaras gharana who died on April 25 due to capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile COVID-19 complications: Pandit Rajan Mishra Shaheen-1A on March 26? Pakistan 183) Which former Governor of Reserve Bank of India 205) 'World's First Mobile Water from Air Kiosk and was regarded as the “Father of banking reforms in Water Knowledge Centre' has been set up in which India”? M Narasimham Indian city? Visakhapatnam 184) Malaria is caused through the bites of infected 206) Who has been elected as the new chairperson of the female ______mosquitoes: Anopheles Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE)? 185) Celebrations of the World Intellectual Property Day Ms. Soma Mondal on April 26 are supported by which UN 207) Soma Mondal is the chairperson of which public Agency? World Intellectual Property Office sector organization? Steel Authority of India (WIPO), Geneva Limited (SAIL) 186) What is the title of the latest novel written by noted 208) Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways has novelist Amitav Ghosh? A Living Mountain proposed up to _____ percent tax concession on the

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 88 purchase of new vehicles on submission of 233) The Central Government plans to issue a _____ digit scrappage certificate: 25 identification number “Unique Land Parcel 209) RBI has made use of AFA mandatory for all Identification Number (ULPIN)” to every plot of recurring payments through cards or UPI, wef land in the country: 14 April1, 2021. What is AFA? Additional Factor of 234) From April 1 this year, GST taxpayers having Authentication turnover of more than 5 crore rupees in the 210) Who is the director of the film ‘Thappad’, winner of preceding financial year, will have to furnish 6 digits Filmfare Award for the Best Film? Anubhav Sinha HSN Code. What is HSN? Harmonised System of 211) Who won the Filmfare Award for the Best Actor in Nomenclature lead role? Irrfan Khan for Angrezi Medium 235) CBIC issues 6-digit SAC to uniformly classify each 212) Om Raut won the Filmfare Award for the Best service under the applicable rate of GST. What is Director for which film? Tanhaji: The Unsung SAC? Service Accounting Code Warrior 236) The government has decided to keep the inflation- 213) Taapsee Pannu won the Filmfare Award for the Best targeting framework for the RBI unchanged at ___ % Actress in lead role for which film? Thappad for the next five-year period: Four 214) The International Day of Drug Checking is observed 237) Sankalp se Siddhi” drive is an initiative of which every year on which day of March? 31st union ministry? Ministry of Tribal Affairs 215) Lewis Hamilton of Britain won the season-opening 238) Veteran actress of over 100 Hindi films passed away Bahrain Grand Prix F1 championship on March 28 at her residence in Mumbai on April 4. What was her for which team? Team Mercedes real name? Shashikala Jawalkar 216) What is the cash award given in the national 239) As many as 23 CRPF jawans were killed and around Dadasaheb Phalke Award? Rs. 10 lakh 50 were injured after an encounter with local 217) Who won the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award Naxalites on April 3 in Jagargunda area. It is in for 2019? Superstar Rajnikant which state? Chhattisgarh 218) What is the real name of Rajnikant? Shivaji Rao 240) Hubert Hurkacz won the men’s singles title at the Gaekwad Miami Open Tennis Tournament. He hails from 219) Which country fared best in the gender parity as per which country? Poland the WEF’s Global Gender Gap Report 2021? Iceland 241) Who has been appointed as the Chairperson of 220) What was India’s rank in the Global Gender Gap Public Enterprises Selection Board? Mallika Report 2021? 140th Srinivasan 221) Where are the headquarters of the World Economic 242) The World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Forum? Cologny, Switzerland Investment Bank approved a loan for $ 300 million 222) What was the name of the 11th edition of Indo-US for canal-based drinking water project in which joint special forces exercise held at Special Forces state? Punjab training school, Bakloh? Vajra Prahar 2021 243) India celebrates National Maritime Day on which th 223) Special Forces Training School located at Bakloh is day of April? 5 in which state? Himachal Pradesh 244) Justice NV Ramana has been appointed as the ______th 224) Saraswati Samman is bestowed for outstanding Chief Justice of India: 48 contribution in which field? Literature 245) Which country suffered flash floods and landslides 225) What is the cash award given with the Saraswati triggered by tropical cyclone Seroja? Indonesia Samman? Rs. 15 lakh 246) ______became the first state in the country to 226) Who is the winner of the Saraswati Samman for provide free health insurance facility to all the 2020? Dr Sharankumar Limbale citizens of the state: Rajasthan 227) Dr Sharankumar Limbale won the Saraswati 247) RBI in its first MPC meeting kept the benchmark Samman for which book? Sanatan interest rate - Repo Rate unchanged at ____ percent: 228) Dr. Limbale is a renowned writer of which Four language? Marathi 248) Which big country passed a law to facilitate its 229) World Autism Awareness Day is observed on which current President to hold office for two additional 6- date? April 2 year terms till 2036? Russia 230) An area at Amboli in Western ghats has been 249) The Indian Navy participated in a France-led multi declared as a biodiversity heritage site. It is in nation naval drill named ______from April 5 to 7 which state? Maharashtra in the Bay of Bengal: “La Perouse” 231) India's biggest floating solar power plant with a 250) Tarun Bajaj has been appointed as the new _____ capacity of 100 MW is being set up by the NTPC at Secretary under the Ministry of Finance: Revenue its Ramagundam thermal power plant reservoir. It 251) ______appointed as the new Economic Affairs is in which state? Telangana Secretary in the Ministry of Finance: Ajay Seth 232) Who is the Governor of Telangana? Tamilisai Soundararajan

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 89 252) The Reserve Bank has decided to bring out a 274) Festival of Baisakhi marks the thanksgiving by the Financial Inclusion Index (FI Index). It will be farmer community for the bumper _____ crops: Rabi released annually in the month of ______: July 275) In which state Baisakhi is celebrated as Rongali 253) AM Turing Award is given for recognizing Bihu? Assam outstanding excellence in which field? Computer 276) In Kerala, festival of Baisakhi is celebrated as ______: Science Vishu 254) Who won the AM Turing Award for the year 2020? 277) Name the Election Commissioner who has been Prof. Alfred V Aho of USA appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner of 255) The Reserve Bank has enhanced the limit of India: Sushil Chandra maximum balance to Rs. ______in accounts of 278) India participated in a 10-day multinational military Payment Banks? Two lakh exercise held in Bangladesh. What was its name? 256) ______has been appointed as the Chairman and Shantir Ogroshena Managing Director of SIDBI: S Ramann 279) Which country hosted the 6th edition of the Raisina 257) The Supreme Court of India on April 7 launched its Dialogue in virtual mode from April 13 to 16? India Artificial Intelligence portal by what name? 280) Guneet Monga has been selected for the French SUPACE civilian honour the Knight of the Order of Arts and 258) What is the full form of SUPACE? Supreme Court Letters. She is a renowned ______: Film maker Portal for Assistance in Courts Efficiency 281) Government launched the e-SaNta platform for 259) Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a virtual promotion of ______products: Marine summit with his ______counterpart Mark Rutte on 282) Government launched a mobile application called April 9: Netherlands “Little Guru” to enable the user to learn ______260) Government launched which portal on April 7 to language: Sanskrit promote the honey mission in the country? 283) The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) granted Madhukranti its approval to ______Laboratories for restricted 261) The Government launched on April 7 the Tribal emergency use of Russian COVID-19 vaccine: Dr. Health Collaborative named: Anamaya Reddy’s 262) What is the name of the Indian World Heavyweight 284) What is the name of Russian COVID – 19 vaccine? Champion recently inducted into the WWE Hall of Sputnik V Fame? Dalip Singh Rana (Great Khali) 285) Guillermo Lasso has been elected as the President of 263) India has developed the world's first micro-sensor which South American country? Ecuador based explosive trace detector named: Nano 286) The National Commission for Scheduled Castes is Sniffer headed by ______: Vijay Sampla 264) Prince Philip, British Queen Elizabeth's husband, 287) Government launched ______, a mission dedicated died at the age of 99. What was his official title? to spread awareness about nutrition: Aahaar Duke of Edinburgh Kranti 265) Which Bank approved a $ 484 million loan to 288) Government launched MANAS App to promote improve the road maintenance and transport wellbeing across all age groups. What is the full connectivity in the Chennai-Kanyakumari Industrial form of MANAS? Mental Health and Normalcy Corridor? Asian Development Bank Augmentation System. 266) World Homoeopathy Day is observed on April 10 to 289) Which Indian cricketer has been named Wisden commemorate the birthday of ______: Dr. Samuel Almanack's ODI player of the 2010s? Virat Kohli Hahnemann 290) World Art Day celebrated on April 15 is associated 267) The National Safe Motherhood Day is observed on with birthday of which legendary artist/painter? which date? April 11 Leonardo da Vinci 268) As per the recently published Academic Ranking of 291) Which district bagged top position at National level World Universities (ARWU 2020), which university for successfully implementing Pradhan Mantri topped the rankings in India? Calcutta University Gram Sadak Yojana during 2020-21? Udhampur 269) Which university topped in the world the Academic district of Jammu and Kashmir Ranking of World Universities? Harvard 292) Indian Army celebrates April 13 as Siachen Day to University, USA mark its victorious operation ______in 1984 against 270) Which film won the BAFTA award for the best film? Pakistan: Meghdoot Nomadland 293) Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology 271) Who won the BAFTA for the Best Director? Ms. unveiled three path breaking initiatives for National Chloe Zhao Internet Exchange of India. What is its short name? 272) Yuri Gagarin, the first human being to undertake the NIXI space flight, hailed from which country? Russia 294) Which country announced the expulsion of 10 273) The Parkinson disease is associated with which Russian diplomats on April 15? USA system of human body? Nervous

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 90 295) Sarita Mor (of Sonipat, Haryana) won the gold in the 318) What is the theme of this year’s Earth Day? Restore Asian ______Championships in Almaty, our Earth Kazakhstan: Wrestling 319) Which city has been selected as the World Book 296) The Reserve Bank has decided to set up a new Capital for a one-year period on the occasion of the Regulations Review Authority headed by ______? M World Book and Copyright Day on April 23? Tbilisi Rajeshwar Rao in Georgia 297) Which country topped the Inclusive Internet Index 320) Which international day marks the birthday and 2021? Sweden death anniversary of the legendary writer William 298) What was India’s rank in the Inclusive Internet Shakespeare on April 23? The English Language Index 2021? 49th Day 299) Which Indian set a new World Record in the 321) ______hosted a two-day Leaders Climate women's 49kg Clean and Jerk at Asian Weightlifting Summit of world leaders on the Earth Day, April 22: Championships in Tashkent? Mirabai Chanu of US President Joe Biden Manipur 322) What was the theme of the Leaders Climate Summit 300) The 8th Indo-Kyrgyz Joint Special Forces Exercise of world leaders held on the Earth Day, April 22? “Khanjar” was held at which place? Bishkek, Our Collective Sprint to 2030 Kyrgyzstan 323) Name the noted Indian Islamic scholar, spiritual 301) World Haemophilia Day is observed on April 17. leader and author who passed away on April 21 due Haemophilia is associated with which ailment? to Covid-19 complications: Maulana Wahiduddin Bleeding disorders Khan 302) Celebration of World Heritage Day on April 18 is 324) Shankha Ghosh, an eminent Bengali ______passed supported by which UN agency? UNESCO away on April 21 losing his battle against COVID 19: 303) The Henley Passport Index placed which country’s Poet passport at the top? Japan 325) ______became the first country to ratify the 304) What was Indian passport’s rank on the Henley Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Passport Index? 84th (RCEP) agreement on April 9: Singapore 305) Miguel Díaz-Canel has been appointed as the new 326) In which year government enacted the Panchayati President of which country? Cuba Raj Act? 1993 306) NASA's Mars helicopter named ______made history 327) Which number amendment of the Indian with a successful flight on the Red Planet: Constitution is associated with the enactment of ‘Ingenuity’ Panchayati Raj Act? 73rd 307) The World Liver Day is observed on which date? 328) Which country, along with Russia, topped the medal April 19 tally at the World Youth Boxing Championships held 308) The Reserve Bank constituted a panel to carry out a in Kielce, Poland? India review of the working of ARCs. What is the full form 329) Rekha M Menon, Chairperson of IT firm Accenture of ARC? Asset Reconstruction Company India, has been appointed as chairperson of which 309) ARC is a specialized financial institution that buys apex business body? National Association of the ______from banks at a mutually agreed value: Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) Bad loans (NPAs) 330) The World Veterinary Day is observed on the ______310) The ARCs are to be registered with which apex Saturday of April every year: Last organization? RBI MARCH 2021 311) The Government of India celebrates Civil Services 331) The book ‘India’s Power Elite’ is written by______: Day on which date? April 21 Sanjay Baru, ex-media to former prime minister 312) Who referred to civil servants as the 'Steel frame of Manmohan Singh India' in 1947? Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel 332) What is the name of the sixth offshore patrol vessel 313) Which country secured top rank in the Energy commissioned into service at Chennai Port Trust on Transition Index released by the WEF? Sweden March 24? ICGS Vajra 314) What was India’s rank in the Energy Transition 333) Who has been selected to head the RBI committee Index released by the WEF? 87th formed to evaluate applications for “on-tap” 315) The Press Freedom Index 2021 that evaluates the licensing of universal banks and small finance press freedom situation in 180 countries, ranked banks? Ms. Shyamala Gopinath which country at the top? Norway 334) NITI Aayog formed 11 committees to expedite the 316) India was placed at _____ rank in the recently transition of the country from a linear economy to a released Press Freedom Index 2021: 142nd ______economy: Circular 317) Which international day is observed on April 22 to 335) ______has decided to develop world class ‘Wayside create awareness about pollution and to celebrate Amenities’ at more than 600 locations across 22 the environment of our planet? The Earth Day states in the next five years: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 91 336) Government has raised the limit for tax exemption 359) Jasmine Harrison, a 21-year-old British woman on interest earned on provident fund contributions from England became the youngest woman to do by employees to Rs. ____lakh: Five what? To row solo across the Atlantic Ocean. 337) Which country plans to build the world's first ship 360) Which film won the Dadasaheb Phalke International tunnel, designed to help vessels to avoid navigating Film Award for the best film? Tanhaji: The Unsung the treacherous Stadhavet Sea? Norway Warrior 338) Vyas Samman is associated with which field? Hindi 361) Akshay Kumar won the Dadasaheb Phalke literature International Film Award for the Best Actor for 339) Who is the winner of Vyas Samman – 2020? Prof. which film? Laxmii Sharad Pagare 362) Irakli Garibashvili has been appointed as the new 340) Prof. Sharad Pagare won the Vyas Samma for which ______of Georgia: Prime Minister book? Patliputra Ki Samragyi 363) The Ministry of Corporate Affairs signed a MoU on 341) What is the amount of cash award given in the Vyas Feb 25 for exchange of data with which Central Samman? Rs. four lakhs Board? Central Board of Indirect Taxes and 342) Name the former Deputy Governor of the RBI who Customs left for heavenly abode on March 26: KC 364) Under which Act the government announced new Chakrabarty policies for regulation of content on social media 343) Name the noted journalist and author who died in and over the top (OTT) platforms? Information Mumbai on March 26: Anil Dharker Technology Act, 2000 344) Which country topped the International Intellectual 365) Which country passed amendments to their News Property Index 2021? USA Media Bargaining Code to force online platforms 345) India was placed at which spot in the International like Google and Facebook to pay for news they Intellectual Property Index 2021? 40th source from local media? Australia 346) Which district has been declared as the first TB free 366) Which country emerged as India’s biggest trade district in India? Budgam, J&K partner in 2020? China 347) With which country India conducted its first 367) Which Buddhist pilgrimage city has been selected Passage Exercise (PASSEX) on 24 March in western recently under the National Mission on Pilgrimage Indian Ocean? Madagascar Rejuvenation and Spirituality Augmentation Drive 348) Denis Sassou Nguesso has been re-elected as the (PRASAD) scheme? Leh, Ladakh President of which country for the next five years? 368) Name the Indian social activist in the field of Right Republic of Congo to Information in India who has been selected by the 349) Bangladesh is celebrating which year of its US government for the International Anti- liberation? 50th corruption Champions Award? Anjali Bharadwaj 350) Who is the current Prime Minister of the 369) Mohamed Bazoum has been elected as the new Bangladesh? Sheikh Hasina Wajed President of which African country? Niger 351) Who has been appointed as the CEO of Unique 370) Dushyant Chautala, Deputy CM of Haryana, has been Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)? Saurabh re-elected as the President of which sports Garg federation of India? Table Tennis 352) World Theatre Day is observed on which day of 371) The central government has selected 12 tourist sites March? 27th under the Swachh Iconic Places under an initiative 353) Every year, the Earth Hour is celebrated worldwide of which ministry? Ministry of Jal Shakti on the ______Saturday of March: Last 372) The famous historical monument Sanchi Stupa is in 354) Which bank has been adjudged the India's best bank which state? Madhya Pradesh for SMEs at the Asiamoney Best Bank Awards 202? 373) Which state is famous for Kumbhalgarh Fort and HDFC Bank Ramdevra Temple? Rajasthan 355) Out of wheat and rice, which crop is produced more 374) Government has decided to form a Centre of in India? Rice Excellence in gaming and other related areas in 356) The Centre has lifted embargo on private sector collaboration with which IIT of the country? IIT banks for conduct of ______business related Bombay transactions: Government 375) ISRO launched the Amazonia 1 optical earth 357) What is the formal name of the world’s largest observation satellite for which country? Brazil cricket stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad? Narendra 376) Who won the gold medal on Feb 28 in the women's Modi Stadium 53-kg category at XXIV Outstanding Ukrainian 358) Who has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Wrestlers and Coaches Memorial tournament in National Commission for Scheduled Castes? Vijay Kyiv, Ukraine? Vinesh Phogat Sampla 377) Which country has taken over chairmanship of BRICS group for 2021? India

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 92 378) Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has discovered 400) Which country successfully launched its first a Buddhist monastery in the Hazaribagh. It is in satellite to monitor the Arctic’s climate and which state? Jharkhand environment? Russia 379) Matam Venkata Rao has been appointed as 401) Which are the two international days that are Managing Director & CEO of which Bank? Central observed on March 3? World Wildlife Day and Bank of India World Hearing Day 380) Government launched the Sugamya Bharat App for 402) With which country India agreed to jointly work in what purpose? For enhancing physical the area of marine spatial planning in the oceanic accessibility for elderly and the disabled space for the next five years? Norway 381) Which was the partner country in the Maritime 403) Which city is the capital of Norway? Oslo India Summit-2021 held on a virtual platform from 404) Which heritage iconic railway station in Mumbai is March 2 to 4? Denmark popularly known as CST station? Chhatrapati 382) Which national day is celebrated on March 01 to Shivaji Terminus commemorate the creation of the Indian Civil 405) As per the 'Ease of Living Index' ______topped the Accounts Service (ICAS) on this day in 1976? Civil list as the most livable city among 111 cities (with Accounts Day population above 1 million) covered in the index: 383) March 07 is observed as Janaushadhi Diwas. Jan Bengaluru Aushadhi Kendras are the initiative of which 406) In the category of cities with 'population less than government department? Department of million', ______was ranked at the top in the Ease of Pharmaceuticals Living Index: Shimla 384) 21st National Sqay Championship was held at which 407) Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a virtual place? Jaipur, Rajasthan summit with Stefan Löfven on March 5. Who is he? 385) Sqay is the traditional martial art of which area? Prime Minister of Sweden Kashmir 408) India exported the first consignment of ‘red rice’ on 386) Golden Globe Awards are associated with which March 4 to which country? USA field? Cinema & TV 409) Iron rich ‘red rice’ is grown in which Indian river 387) Which film won the Golden Globe for the Best valley? Brahmaputra valley in Assam Motion Picture – Drama? Nomadland 410) Name the West Indies ODI and T20I skipper became 388) Chloé Zhao won the Golden Globe for the best the third batsman in the history of international director for which film? Nomadland cricket to hit six 6s in an over on March 3: Kieron 389) India donated Rs. 1.5 million to the National Pollard Research Institute of Chinese Medicine of which 411) With which country India signed a key pact on country? Taiwan March 2 for the supply of BrahMos supersonic 390) Indian Air Force gifted a legacy Alouette III missiles? Philippines helicopter to which country? Bangladesh 412) BrahMos missiles are built in India in collaboration 391) A giant iceberg, around 490 sq km in size, broke off with which country? Russia from the ice shelf in which area? Antarctica 413) Which Indian boxer has been appointed as the 392) Who became the first cricketer to hit 100 million chairperson of the International Boxing followers on social networking platform Instagram Association's (AIBA) champions and veterans on March 1, 2021? Virat Kohli committee? Mary Kom 393) Who is the most followed sportsperson on the 414) India has decided to fund the reconstruction of three Instagram, having 266 million followers? Cristiano more Cultural Heritage projects in which country? Ronaldo Nepal 394) ISRO successfully launched satellite Sindhu Netra on 415) Which country hosted the 2021’s first G20 Finance Feb 28. It is what type of satellite? Surveillance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) satellite meeting in virtual mode on Feb 26? Italy 395) A special contingent of the Indian Air Force took 416) Which prestigious environment prize was conferred part in the multinational exercise “Desert Flag” in upon PM Narendra Modi via video conferencing on which country? UAE – United Arab Emirates March 5 at the Cambridge Energy Research 396) Which state/UT topped the medals tally in the 2nd Associates Week? CERAWeek Global Energy and Khelo India Winter National Games? J&K Environment Leadership Award 397) 2nd Khelo India Winter National Games were held 417) DRDO successfully carried out a flight in which city in J&K? Gulmarg demonstration based on SFDR technology for the 398) Government has decided to merge the Rajya Sabha long-range air to air missiles. What is SFDR? Solid TV and Lok Sabha TV channels. The new channel Fuel Ducted Ramjet will be known as ______TV: Sansad TV 418) Which city topped the final rankings in million plus 399) What is the theme for this year’s Zero cities of the Municipal Performance Index (MPI) Discrimination Day? End Inequalities 2020 for the 111 Indian cities? Indore

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 93 419) The 11th edition of the QS World University 439) The Maitree Setu will link South Tripura to which Rankings ranked which university as the best in the International port in Bangladesh? Chittagong world? Massachusetts Institute of Technology 440) Koneru Humpy won the “BBC Indian Sportswoman (MIT), USA of the Year” (ISWOTY) award for 2020. She plays 420) Which Indian Institute/University secured highest which sports? Chess (172nd) rank in the QS World University Rankings? 441) The First Forest Healing centre of the country was Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay inaugurated recently at which place in 421) The UN General Assembly has declared on March 3 Uttarakhand? Ranikhet year 2023 as the year of ______? Millets 442) ISRO and the NASA recently completed the 422) Among Ragi, Bajra, Makai and Jowar, which one is development of a Synthetic Aperture Radar- SAR. NOT a millet? Makai What is its name? NISAR 423) What is this year’s theme of the National Safety Day? 443) DRDO conducted the final development test of the “Sadak Suraksha” (Road Safety) Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system on Mar 8. 424) India observes National Security Day on March 4. It is to be used at which place? Who is India’s National Security Advisor? Ajit 444) Which bank launched ‘SmartUp Unnati’-- a Kumar Doval dedicated mentoring programme to support women 425) Washington-based noted think tank Freedom House entrepreneurs? HDFC Bank in its report, titled ‘Democracy Under Siege’, has 445) What is the name of the second edition of the India - ranked India at which rank? 88th Uzbekistan joint military exercise held in Ranikhet 426) What is the theme of this year’s International in Uttarakhand? DUSTLIK-II Women’s Day? #ChooseToChallenge 446) The “Economic Freedom Index” released by the US 427) Which Indian boxer won gold at the Boxam based think tank – Heritage Foundation placed International Tournament in Castellon, Spain? which country at the top? Singapore Manish Kaushik 447) India was ranked at which spot in the Economic 428) Which Indian boxers reached number one world Freedom Index? 121st ranking in both men’s and women’s category? 448) Which country launched the world's first military Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat exercise in space from March 8 to 12? France 429) Which Indian organization launched an ‘All Women 449) What was the name of the military space exercise Officers’ Sailing’ crew on the cargo ship MT Swarna launched by France? AstreX Krishna? Shipping Corporation of India 450) President of which country was selected for the 430) An ‘All Women Officers’ Sailing’ crew on the cargo Prize for Achievement in African Leadership-2020? ship MT Swarna Krishna was launched from which Niger Indian port? Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Mumbai 451) Who has been re-appointed as the Chairman of the 431) NPCI partnered with which company to launch Panel of External Auditors of the United Nations for ‘RuPay SoftPoS’ for millions of Indian merchants? the year 2021? Girish Chandra Murmu SBI Payments 452) The First Quad Leaders’ Summit was held virtually 432) Which ministry has decided to classify all of its on March 12. How many countries are member of major programmes under three Umbrella Schemes Quad group? Four for their better implementation? Women and 453) Who is the Prime Minister of Japan? Yoshihide Child Development Ministry Suga 433) Google launched which web platform to help one 454) What is the full form of the acronym QUAD? million women in rural India to become Quadrilateral Security Dialogue entrepreneurs through business tutorials, tools and 455) Who has been sworn in as the new Chief Minister of mentorship? Women will Uttarakhand? Tirath Singh Rawat 434) Which country topped the UNCTAD's Business-to- 456) Who is the Governor of Uttarakhand? Ms. Baby Consumer (B2C) E-commerce Index 2020? Rani Maurya Switzerland 457) Who became the first Indian woman cricketer and 435) What was India’s rank in the recently released second internationally to complete 10,000 runs UNCTAD's Business-to-Consumer (B2C) E- across all formats? Mithali Raj commerce Index 2020? 71st 458) ______became the first bank in India on March 10 436) Which global organization raised the projection for to launch its own range of wearable contactless India’s economic growth rate by 4.7 percentage payment devices named as ‘Wear N Pay’: Axis Bank points at 12.6 percent for 2021-22? OECD - 459) What is the upper limit of amount of transactions Organization for Economic Co-operation and that can be done through ‘Wear N Pay’ devices? Rs. Development, Paris 5,000/- 437) The Maitri Setu (Friendship Bridge) on Feni river is 460) Thomas Bach has been re-elected as the President of located in which state? Tripura which international sports body? International 438) Indian Railway integrated all its helplines into single Olympic Committee (IOC) number. What is this number? 139 GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 94 461) Where are the headquarters of the IOC located? 484) Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awardee Laxman Lausanne, Switzerland Pai passed away on March 14. He was a renowned 462) Who has been appointed as the new Chief ______? Artist and painter Statistician of India by the Central Government? Dr. 485) Country’s first ever dedicated Express Cargo G P Samanta Terminal has been launched at which international 463) Which two countries signed a MoU to jointly airport? Kempegowda International Airport, construct a lunar space station that will be open to Bengaluru all countries? China and Russia 486) Which country topped the Human Performance 464) Which Indian actress has joined the list of the Young Indicator for Asia Pacific region released by the JLL? Global Leaders (YGLs) compiled by the World India Economic Forum? Deepika Padukon 487) Which artist created a record of winning highest 465) Which mobile app has been launched for the benefit number of Grammy awards (28), after winning 4 of those ration card holders who move to new places Grammys this year? Beyonce in search of livelihood? Mera Ration 488) Which artist won the Grammy this year for the 466) Which Indian Industrialist added the highest wealth “Record of the Year”? Billie Eilish in the world to his fortune in 2021? Gautam Adani 489) The Union Cabinet approved setting up of a 467) World Kidney Day is observed globally on the ______Development Finance Institution (DFI) with an Thursday of March every year: Second initial capital infusion of 20 thousand crore rupees 468) Prime Minister Modi launched the celebrations for for what purpose? For long-term funding of the ‘Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav’ from which place? infrastructure development projects Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad 490) Who has been appointed as the new Director 469) Who became the first-ever batsman to score 3,000 General of the National Security Guard? M A runs in T-20 Internationals? Virat Kohli Ganpathy 470) Which team won the Vijay Hazare Trophy for 2021? 491) Kuldiep Singh, Sr IPS officer, has been appointed as Team Mumbai the Director General of which para-military force? 471) Vijay Hazare Trophy is played in which format of CRPF cricket? 50 over one day 492) ______became the first country in Central America 472) Tamil Nadu’s CA Bhavani Devi became the first ever to be certified malaria-free by the World Health Indian ______to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Organization: El Salvador Games: Fencer 493) ______has been adjudged as the world’s most 473) Who became the first player in the world to polluted capital city by World Air Quality Report by complete 7,000 runs in women’s ODI cricket? Swiss organisation, IQAir: New Delhi Mithali Raj 494) What is the name of the Indian Navy’s first advanced 474) ‘The Lost Soul’ is a novel written by Olga Tokarczuk. surveillance ship? INS Dhruv She belongs to which country: Poland 495) What is the name of the world’s highest honor in 475) The world’s most powerful supercomputer named architecture, also known as Nobel of architecture? “Fugaku” has been developed by which country? Pritzker Architecture Prize Japan 496) Pritzker Architecture Prize for 2021 has been won 476) International Day of Mathematics is observed on by Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal. They hail March 14. It also commemorates the birthday of a from which country? France great mathematician. Who is he? Albert Einstein 497) India’s first ordnance factory was established at 477) What is the value of Pi expressed in a fraction? 14/3 which place in 1801? Cossipore, West Bengal 478) World Consumer Rights Day is observed on which 498) What is the theme for this year’s Global Recycling day of March month? 15th Day observed on March 18? Recycling Heroes 479) What is the theme of this year’s World Consumer 499) Which International day is observed annually on the Rights Day? Tackle plastic pollution Friday before the March Equinox on the Earth? 480) Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a Virtual World Sleep Day Summit with Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of ______500) Dr Ajay Mathur has been appointed as the Director , on March 16: Finland General of which global organization? 481) RBI has asked all banks to implement the image- International Solar Alliance, Gurugram, Haryana based Cheque Truncation System (CTS) in all 501) Who is Lloyd J Austin III who arrived in India on branches by ______this year: September 30 March 19 for a three-day visit? Defence Secretary 482) The UGC has recognised three professional of USA qualifications as equivalent to post-graduation. Can 502) International Day of Happiness is observed on you name them? CA, CS, and ICWA which day of March? 20th 483) Grammy awards are given to recognise excellence in 503) What is the theme of this year’s World Sparrow Day which field? Music observed on March 20? I love sparrows

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 95 504) As per the UN World Happiness Report 2021 524) _____ was declared as the most film friendly state for released on March 19, ______is the happiest country 2019: Sikkim to live in the world: Finland 525) The Gandhi Peace Prize – 2019 was conferred on 505) What was India’s rank in the UN World Happiness late Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said. He was former Report 2021? 139th head of which country? Oman 506) ______has been declared as the best state under 526) Government of India honoured Bangabandhu the government’s Van Dhan Vikas Yojana: Manipur Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with which prestigious 507) Which Indian film celebrity has been honoured with global award? The Gandhi Peace Prize-2020 the prestigious Film Archive Award-2021? 527) What is the amount of the cash prize given with the Amitabh Bachchan Gandhi Peace Prize? Rs. One crore 508) With which firm the Ministry of Defence placed an 528) According to a study released by defence website order for supply of 4,960 MILAN-2T Anti-Tank Military Direct on March 21, Indian army is the _____ Guided Missiles? Bharat Dynamics Ltd, strongest army of the world: Fourth Hyderabad 529) According to Military Direct, which is the strongest 509) Ms. Samia Suluhu Hassan has been sworn in as the military force in the world: China first female President of which African country? 530) Which two other countries are ahead of India in Tanzania military force: USA (2nd) and Russia (3rd) 510) Mark Rutte won the 2021 parliamentary elections 531) World Tuberculosis Day is observed every year on for the fourth term in a row to become Prime March 24 to commemorate the discovery of TB on Minister in which country? Netherlands this day by______: Dr. Robert Koch in 1882 511) The Indian Navy undertook the Passage Exercise 532) RBI has decided to grant ‘on-tap’ banking licenses to (PASSEX) under Operation Sankalp in the Persian Universal banks and Small Finance Banks. What Gulf with the navy of which country? Bahrain does ‘on-tap’ mean? RBI will accept applications 512) Which global organization launched a campaign and grant banking licenses throughout the year named ‘Sahi Disha’ to promote women’s livelihoods 533) Who was called by the name of Frontier Gandhi? and entrepreneurship in the rural India? UNDP- Late Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (also known as United Nations Development Program Badshah Khan) 513) Who became the first Indian Table Tennis player to 534) ‘My Life in Full’ is a book written by which corporate qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games? Achanta honcho? Indra Nooyi, former CEO of Pepsico Sharath Kamal 535) The Frontier Gandhi: My Life and Struggle is English 514) What is the theme of this year’s World Water Day translation of autobiography of which freedom observed on March 22? Valuing Water fighter? Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan 515) What is the name of the water conservation 536) What is the name of the book recently written by campaign launched by the Prime Minister Modi on senior RSS leader Ram Madhav? Because India March 22? Catch the Rain Campaign Comes First 516) India’s Singhraj won the gold medal in the 2021 FEBRUARY 2021 ______World Cup at Al Ain in the UAE: Para 537) Who became Table Tennis Men’s national champion Shooting at the 82nd National Table Tennis Championships in 517) Who won the men’s singles title at the All-England Panchkula, Haryana? Sathiyan Gnanasekaran Badminton Championships? Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia 538) The Reserve Bank brought the State Bank of 518) Nozomi Okuhara won the women’s singles title at ______under its regulation: Sikkim the All-England Badminton Championships. She 539) ______became the first state in the country to represents which country? Japan table a paperless budget in the state assembly on 519) Government launched an ambitious scheme named Feb 22: Uttar Pradesh ______for offering the world’s cheapest LED bulbs 540) Which Arabian country has permitted the women of in rural areas: Gram Ujala the country to join the armed forces? Saudi Arabia 520) The memorial in the honour of great revolutionary 541) India’s first Carbon Watch, a mobile app for fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev is assessing carbon footprints has been developed by located at which place on the banks of River Satluj? which state/UT? Chandigarh Hussainiwala 542) Government has approved ______toy 521) Which film won the National Award for the ‘Best manufacturing clusters with investment of Rs 2,300 Feature Film’ for 2019? Marakkar: Lion of the crore: 8 Arabian Sea 543) Which state has set up the country's first Digital 522) Who won the National Award for the Best Director University? Kerala for 2019? Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan for 544) What is the name of India’s first Digital University? Bahattar Hoorain Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation 523) National award for the Best Actress for 2019 has and Technology been won by: Kangana Ranaut

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 96 545) The Indian Army successfully tested the Helina and Enhancement Project? The Asian Infrastructure Dhruv Astra Missile Systems. They are what type of Investment Bank (AIIB) missiles? Anti Tank Guided Missiles 566) The World Bank granted a $68 million support to 546) The Soil Health Card Day is observed on which day improve the quality of education in which state? of February? 19th Nagaland 547) The World Social Justice Day is observed on Feb 20 567) The 30th Adriatic Pearl Boxing Tournament was with the support of which UN agency? held in Budva. It is in which country? Montenegro International Labour Organization 568) Which film won the Golden Peacock Award for the 548) Government launched the Go Electric Campaign to best film at the 51stInternational Film Festival of boost the adoption of which items? Electric India (IFFI) in Goa? “Into the Darkness” directed mobility vehicles and electric cooking by Anders Refn appliances 569) Director Anders Refn hails from which country? 549) Government launched the Intensified Mission Denmark Indradhanush 3.0 (IMI 3.0) for what purpose? To 570) What is the cash amount given in the Golden expand immunization coverage across the Peacock Award? Rs. 40 lakh nation 571) Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 550) The Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy is given for outstanding performance in which field? conducted bilateral military exercise PASSEX on Feb Disaster management 18 in which area? Arabian Sea 572) Who is the winner of this year’s Subhash Chandra 551) Which Indian company indigenously made K-9 Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar in individual Vajra-T 155 mm/ 52 calibre self-propelled guns for category? Dr. Rajendra Kumar Bhandari Indian Army? Larsen and Toubro (L&T) 573) What is the amount of cash award won by Dr. 552) International Mother Language Day is observed on Rajendra Kumar Bhandari? Rs. Five lakh which day? February 21 574) 10thNational Ice Hockey Championship was held at 553) The second Khelo India University Games will be which place? Gulmarg, J&K hosted by which state? Karnataka 575) Which team won the 10thNational Ice Hockey 554) The week-long 47th Khajuraho Dance Festival was Championship? Indo-Tibetan Border Police held in which state from Feb 20 to 26? Madhya (ITBP) Pradesh 576) The longest road arch bridge in India - the Wahrew 555) Australian Open Grand Slam was held in which Bridge has been built in which state? Meghalaya Australian city? Melbourne 577) The Wahrew Bridge in East Khasi Hills district of 556) Who won men’s singles title at the Australian Open? Meghalaya has been built across which river? Novak Djokovic (Serbia) Wahrew 557) ______won the Australian Open Women’s singles 578) A rocket from which US aerospace company created title: Naomi Osaka a new record by launching 143 satellites at a time 558) The book Rashtra Pratham - 82 Varshon Ki Swarnim into space? SpaceX Gatha is the life story of which para military force? 579) The Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched the ‘Shram CRPF Shakti’ portal to collect data related to the ______559) ‘Unfinished: A Memoir’ is the autobiography of workers? Tribal migrant which Indian cinema celebrity? Priyanka Chopra 580) The Gujarat Government plans to set up India’s Jonas largest multi-modal logistics park in which city? 560) What is the title of the recent book by the Tibetan Ahmadabad spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama? The Little Book of 581) The UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Encouragement Weapons (TPNW) came into effect from which date? 561) Central Excise Day is observed on Feb 24 to mark January 22, 2021 the enactment of which act that was enacted on this 582) Is India a signatory to the UN Treaty on the day in 1944? Central Excise and Salt Act, 1944 Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons? No 562) National Science Day is observed on Feb 28 to mark 583) Which state launched door delivery of rice to ration which scientific recovery on this day in 1928? card holders across the state? Andhra Pradesh Raman Effect by Sir C V Raman 584) India’s top civilian awards, Padma awards are 563) Sir C V Raman was awarded Nobel Prize in 1930 in approved by which authority? President of India which field? Physics 585) Which union ministry makes recommendations for 564) Government launched the National Urban Digital the Padma Awards? Ministry of Home Affairs Mission aimed at providing an online platform for 586) How many Padma Awards have been declared this what purpose? For creating a platform for year? 119 citizen-centric governance 587) Who is the only foreign dignitary to be honoured 565) Which bank approved a $ 304 million dollar loan for this year with Padma Vibhushan? Shinzo Abe, Assam Intra-State Transmission System former PM of Japan

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 97 588) Maximum how many Padma awards can be declared 608) World Wetlands Day is observed on which day of in total in one year (excluding awards given February? 2nd posthumously and to foreigners)? 120 609) Out of Mulberry, Eri, Chanderi, Tassar, and Muga – 589) Who is the winner of the only MahaVir Chakra which one is NOT a variety of Silk? Chanderi declared this year? Colonel B Santosh Babu 610) In which South Asian country military executed a 590) Colonel B Santosh Babu has been decorated with the coup on Feb 1 after arresting the top political Maha Vir Chakra for display of outstanding gallantry leaders? Myanmar in which area? Galwan Valley 611) Which team won the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy 591) The Global Climate Risk Index 2021 has placed on Jan 31? Tamil Nadu India at which rank? Seventh 612) Which word has been named by Oxford Languages 592) Which were the two most affected countries in 2019 as its Hindi word of the year 2020? as per the Global Climate Risk Index 2021? Aatmanirbharta Mozambique and Zimbabwe 613) Badminton World Tour Finals were played on Jan 31 593) The South-East Central Railways created a new in which city? Bangkok record by successfully operating the world’s longest 614) Who won women’s singles title at the Badminton ever freight train in which state? Chhattisgarh World Tour Finals? Tai Tzu Ying (China) 594) BSF launched "Operation Sard Hawa" from Jan 21 to 615) Men’s singles title at the Badminton World Tour 27 to increase security on the borders in which Finals was won by: Anders Antonsen, Denmark area? Jaisalmer, Rajasthan 616) The BCCI has decided to not to conduct which 595) As per a recent survey by the Munich-based Ifo national tournament for the first time in its history institute, which country recoded highest trade of 87 years? Ranji Trophy surplus in 2020? China 617) The Finance Minister announced launch of Pradhan 596) As per a recent survey by the Munich-based Ifo Mantri Bharat ______Yojana to develop institute, which country recoded highest trade primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare deficit in 2020? USA systems? Atmanirbhar Swasth 597) A large-scale tri-service joint amphibious exercise 618) Asia’s biggest aero show “Aero India-2021” was AMPHEX – 21 was conducted in which area from held at Yelahanka Air Force Station in which city? January 21-25? Andaman & Nicobar Islands Bengaluru 598) Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa won a second five-year 619) The defence ministers of 27 countries from Indian term after winning the 2021 Presidential election Ocean region participated in a conclave held at with a landslide victory in which country? Portugal ______in first week of February: Bengaluru 599) The International Customs Day is celebrated on 620) A team of researchers from five institutes across which date? January 26 India have discovered a new gecko species in which 600) The DRDO conducted a successful maiden launch of state? Arunachal Pradesh which missile from Integrated Test Range off the 621) Which state government launched the year long coast of Odisha.Akash-NG (New Generation) ----- Chauri Chaura Centenary Celebrations here on Feb upto 28/1 4? Bihar 601) Kaja Kallas has been elected as the first female 622) Ajay Singh has been re-elected as President of the President of which country? Estonia, Central ______Federation of India: Boxing Europe 623) According to the Democracy Index 2020 released by 602) The Election Commission rolled out the electronic the Economist Intelligence Unit, London, India version of the voters’ photo identity card e-EPIC. secured ______rank in the Index: 53rd What is EPIC? Electoral photo identity card 624) What is the theme of this year’s World Cancer Day 603) Which Indian company has been ranked 5th on observed on Feb 4? I am and I will Brand Finance’s Global 500 ranking of the strongest 625) India established its first centre for wetland brands globally? Reliance Jio conservation in which place? Chennai 604) Which global financial bodyapproved a $500 million 626) The United States has extended the New START programme to support Strengthening Teaching- (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) nuclear arms Learning and Results for States Programme control treaty with which country? Russia (STARS) of India? The World Bank 627) The New START has been extended for haw many 605) The Corruption Perception Index, 2020, released by years? Five Berlin based NGO Transparency International has 628) District Shravasti topped in the ranking of placed India at which rank? 86th aspirational districts done by the Niti Aayog in 606) Which country topped the Corruption Perception December 2020. It is in which state? Uttar Pradesh Index, 2020? New Zealand and Denmark, jointly 629) The ministry of corporate affairs has allowed non- 607) According to the National Science Foundation, USA, resident Indians (NRIs) to incorporate OPCs. What India is at which rank in terms of number of is OPC? One Person Company scientific articles published in 2018? Third

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 98 630) Which country topped the medal tally at the first 651) India's first centralised AC railway terminal is about Asian Online Shooting Championship hosted online to be operational by February end in which city? by Kuwait? India Bengaluru 631) ______has become the first State in the 652) According to the latest Bloomberg Innovation Index, country to make the end to end processing of the which country is the most innovative nation? South cabinet paperless by implementing e-cabinet Korea application: Himachal Pradesh 653) India has been placed at which rank in the latest 632) Union Environment Ministry approved the Lakhwar Bloomberg Innovation Index? 50th electricity project in which district of Uttarakhand? 654) Who is the top winner of VLCC Femina Miss India Dehradun World 2020? Manasa Varanasi 633) The Lakhwar electricity project is being constructed 655) Which iconic historical monument in the Indian on which river? Yamuna capital completed 100 years of its foundation laying 634) YudhAbhyas 20, the India-US joint military exercise on Feb 10? India Gate was held in Mahajan Field Firing Range in which 656) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) plans state? Rajasthan to set up India's first thunderstorm research testbed 635) India's first ever geothermal power project will be at ______, Odisha: Balasore established at Puga village in which area? Eastern 657) The National Deworming Day is observed two times Ladakh in a year on which dates? Feb 10 and August 10 636) In which state a glacier burst caused widespread 658) Which UN agency supports the celebration of the devastation on Feb 7? Uttarakhand World Pulses Day on Feb 10? Food and Agriculture 637) For the first time in the history of CRPF, a contingent Organization (FAO) of 34 CRPF women personnel was inducted into 659) The Unani Day is celebrated every year on Feb 11 to which of its units? CoBRA mark the birth anniversary of Hakim ______638) What is the full form of CoBRA? Commando ______: Ajmal Khan Battalion for Resolute Action 660) The Unani medicine is based on the philosophy of 639) Who has been appointed as the head of the National which Greek thinker? Hippocrates Safety Council by the Labour Ministry? S N 661) ISRO has tied up with which digital mapping and Subrahmanyan location-based deep-tech company to offer a fully 640) Which country plans to build the world's first indigenous, mapping portal and related geospatial energy island in the North Sea? Denmark services? MapmyIndia 641) Government has enhanced the agricultural credit 662) Which national day is observed on Feb 12 to target to ______lakh crore rupees for the year commemorate the establishment of a council on this 2021-22: 16.5 day in 1958, based on its name? National 642) With which country India signed a MoU for the Productivity Day construction of Shahtoot dam project? Afghanistan 663) What is the three pronged theme for this year’s 643) The Shahtoot dam project is to be built across which World Radio Day? Evolution, Innovation, river? Kabul Connection 644) Who has been honoured as the Global Citizenship 664) India celebrates National Women's Day on Feb 13 to Ambassador by the Northeastern University Center commemorate the birthday of which great Indian for Spirituality, Dialogue and Service, Boston, USA? woman? Sarojini Naidu Sri Sri Ravishankar 665) What was the popular sobriquet attributed to 645) Who won the inaugural ICC Player of the Month Sarojini Naidu? Bharat Kokila award 2021? Rishabh Pant 666) Union Minister Nitin Gadkari launched the country's 646) With which neighbouring country India recently first CNG tractor on Feb 12. What is CNG? inaugurated a newly constructed 108-kilometre Compressed Natural Gas road? Nepal 667) The Tamil film “Koozhangal” won “Tiger” award for 647) The Ministry of Agriculture launched a new Central the best film at the 50th edition of the ______Sector Scheme titled 'Formation and Promotion of International Film Festival: Rotterdam 10,000 Farmer Produce Organizations FPOs'. What 668) The Export-Import Bank of India has approved a is a FPO? Farmer Produce Organization $400 million credit a mega connectivity project in 648) Which country signed a $43 billion agreement to which country? Maldives build the world's largest offshore wind farm? South 669) Which country conducted a successful training Korea launch of the surface to surface ballistic cruise 649) With which Indian firm UNICEF, Paris entered into a missile ‘Babur’? Pakistan long-term supply agreement for the 670) Mario Draghi has been sworn in as the new Prime AstraZeneca/Oxford and the Novavax vaccines? Minister of which European country? Italy Serum Institute of India (SII), Pune 671) The World Bankapproved a $100 million support 650) Novavax vaccines are the product of which country? for CHIRAAG project in which state? Chhattisgarh USA GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 99 672) Indian Army placed an order for 118 indigenously 691) The Ministry of Education has decided to name manufactured Arjun Mark 1-A tanks. What is its residential schools and hostels funded under popular name? Hunter Killer Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan as ______: Netaji Subhas 673) Arjun Mark 1-A tanks are built at the Indian Chandra Bose residential schools and hostels Ordnance Factory’s production facility at which 692) The Food and Agriculture Organization and the place? Avadi, Chennai Arbor Day Foundation have recognized ______674) The Indian National Congress named which party as a 2020 Tree City of World: Hyderabad veteran as the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya 693) The American space agency NASA successfully Sabha? Mallikarjun Kharge landed its fifth rover named ______on Mars on 675) Who has been selected as the new Director General Feb 18: Perseverance of the International Solar Alliance? Dr. Ajay 694) Who won her second women’s national title at the Mathur 82nd Senior National Table Tennis Championships? 676) Who became the first player in the 143-year history Manika Batra of Test cricket to take 200 wickets against left- 695) The National Informatics Centre has launched an handed batsmen? Ravichandran Ashwin instant messaging platform called ______: Sandes 677) RBI formed a committee headed by ______for 696) The Exim Bank extended a line of credit (LOC) drawing a vision document to strengthen urban co- of $15 million to which country for improving operative banks: N S Vishwanathan potable water facilities? 678) Who has been named as the new Director General of JANUARY 2021 the World Trade Organisation? Ngozi Okonjo- 697) India’s first ever driverless train operations were Iweala flagged off on ______Metro’s Magenta Line: Delhi 679) Which state launched the ‘Free Gift Milk to Girl 698) Indian and Vietnamese Navy concluded the two-day Students’ initiative? Sikkim naval passage exercise on Dec 26-27 in which area? 680) Dr. Kiran Bedi, former IPS Officer has been removed South China Sea from the post of Lieutenant Governor of which UT? 699) Which Football player won the FIFA Player of the Puducherry Century Award? Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal 681) Which State’s Chief Minister has been honoured 700) NITI Aayog launched India’s first Digital Asset with the Skoch Chief Minister of the Year Award? Management and Storage platform, called ______: Andhra Pradesh ‘DigiBoxx’ 682) Who is the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh? Y. S. 701) Who won the Sir Garfield Sobers Award for ICC Male Jagan Mohan Reddy Cricketer of the Decade? Virat Kohli 683) In which state at least 51 persons, including 20 702) Who won the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Award for ICC women, were killed when a bus skidded off the road Female Cricketer of the Decade? Ellyse Perry and plunged into a canal? Madhya Pradesh (Australia) 684) The government launched an online portal ______703) India's first hot air balloon safari in a tiger reserve to offer civil services in 62 Cantonments Boards was launched on December 25 in which national across the country: e-Chhawani park? Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya 685) The Indian Navy got its third indigenously built Pradesh Scorpene Submarine on Feb 15. What is its name? 704) Which Municipal Corporation has been announced INS Karanj as the best performing civic body in India? Greater 686) Name the former Governor of Bihar and Jharkhand Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation, Andhra and eminent jurist, who passed away on February Pradesh 16 in Bengaluru: Justice (Retd) M Rama Jois 705) The International Day of Epidemic Preparedness is 687) At which place three fossils of the world’s earliest observed every year on ____ day of December: 27th known living animal- the 550 million years old 706) The India Meteorological Department opened its Dickinsonia- have been discovered by the highest Meteorological Centre located at 3,500 researchers? Bhimbetka rock shelters, Madhya metres above sea level at which place? Leh, Ladakh Pradesh 707) ______has become the first wrestler of the 688) In which US state millions of people suffered in country to win silver at the Individual Wrestling extreme cold as a severe winter storm snapped World Cup in Belgrade, Serbia: Anshu Malik electricity supply? Texas 708) Name the French fashion king who made his name 689) Which country hosted a virtual health secretary- by selling designer clothes to the masses, who died level meeting with other SAARC countries on aged 98: Pierre Cardin February 18 to discuss the ongoing COVID-19 crisis? 709) As per an international report which country India suffered maximum loss of lives in the world due to 690) The Union Cabinet approved the signing of climate change-triggered events in 2020? India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and 710) Which is the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer Partnership Agreement (CECPA) with which by doses? Serum Institute of India, Pune country? Mauritius

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 100 711) What is the name of India’s first indigenously 732) Billionaire Elon Musk is associated with which developed pneumococcal vaccine? Pneumosil business? Tesla Motors, USA 712) Government launched which portal and mobile app 733) A 450-km natural gas pipeline between ______in to connect with Indian Diaspora across the world? Kerala and Mangaluru in Karnataka, was The Global Pravasi Rishta inaugurated on Jan 5: Kochi 713) The government has approved the export of which 734) The National Metrology Conclave 2021 was indigenously built missile system?Akash organised by the CSIR &National Physical 714) The entire state of ______was declared a Laboratory. Metrology is associated with which disturbed area for another six more months from field? Weight and measures Dec 30: Nagaland 735) Alexander Ellis has been appointed as the new 715) What is the name of India’s first indigenously British High Commissioner to which country? India designed and developed Air Dropped Container? 736) India’s 40th Scientific Expedition to Antarctica was SAHAYAK-NG launched from ______on Jan 4: Goa 716) Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, 1985 batch IPS officer has 737) Which Bank raised $1-billion through a ten year been appointed the Director General of which para- bond issue to provide support to overseas Indian military force? Central Industrial Security Force projects and investment? EXIM Bank (CISF) 738) The Reserve Bank operationalised its Payments 717) Winner of the Scientist of the Year Award,senior Infrastructure Development Fund on Dec 5 for what scientist Hemant Kumar Pandey hails from which purpose? For promoting digital payments apex organization? DRDO 739) The Asian Development Banksanctioned a $100 718) Who has been elected as the youngest mayor of million loan to modernise and upgrade the power India in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, distribution system in which city? Bengaluru city Kerala? Arya Rajendran 740) The World Bank approved a $105 million project 719) Which F1 driver has been honoured with the support to improve inland waterways in which Knighthood in Britain? Lewis Hamilton state? West Bengal 720) Country’s first Pollinator Park was thrown open to 741) The World Meteorological Organisation, Geneva the public in ______in Uttarakhand: Haldwani awarded the status of the “Centennial Observing 721) Who has been appointed as the new Railway Board Station” to which Meteorological Centre in India? Chairman and CEO? Suneet Sharma Patna 722) The AsianDevelopment Bank cleared a $ 231 million 742) Which special force inducted the first batch of over loan to augment electricity generation capacity in 100 women calamity combatants and rescuers? which state? Assam National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) 723) Name the veteran Congress leader and former 743) Headquarters of the Exim Bank are located in which Union home minister who passed away at AIIMS, city? Mumbai New Delhi: Buta Singh 744) World’s largest solar energy project of 600 MW is 724) Winner of Eminent Engineer Award-2020, V.K. being set up in the backwaters of Omkareshwar dam Yadav, is Chairman & CEO of which apex on______River: Narmada organization? Railway Board 745) Omkareshwar dam project is located in which state? 725) Which is the first private company to successfully Madhya Pradesh test-fire the technology demonstration version of 746) Which global Bank approved a $105 million project their solid fuelled propulsion rocket motor? support to improve inland waterways in West Skyroot Aerospace, Hyderabad Bengal? The World Bank 726) What is the name of India’s first private sector solid 747) The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), fuelled propulsion rocket motor? Kalam-5 Geneva awarded the status of the “Centennial 727) Which apex organisation has unveiled an e- Observing Station” to which Indian Meteorological commerce portal — eKhadiIndia.com? Khadi and Centre? Patna Village Industries Commission (KVIC) 748) What is the name of the inter-ministerial venture 728) World Braille Day is celebrated on Jan 4 to launched to conceptualize innovative toys based on commemorate the birth anniversary of which great the Indian value system? Toycathon personality? Louis Braille 749) RBI has made use of the Legal Entity Identifiers-LEI 729) How many convex dots are used in the Braille mandatory for all fund transfers worth Rs. _____: language that forms all the letters and symbols? Six 50crore and above 730) The Reserve Bank of India launched ______750) LEI is a unique identification code comprising of ____ Index to measure the extent of digitisation of digits: 20 payments in India: Digital Payments 751) Which organization brings out the Global Economic 731) Which billionaire has zoomed to the second spot in Prospects Report? World Bank the Bloomberg Billionaires Index-2021? Elon Musk 752) Faustin-Archange Touadera has been re-elected as the President of Central ______Republic: African

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 101 753) World Day of War Orphans is observed on which 773) What was the original of Swami Vivekananda? day of January? 6th Narendra Nath Datta 754) What is the cash prize given in the National Florence 774) Who was the Guru of of Swami Vivekananda? Nightingale Award? Rs. 50,000 Ramakrishna Paramhansa 755) As per the data released by the National Statistical 775) The Henley’s passport index has retained ______Office (NSO) on Jan 7, India’s gross domestic on top of passport rankings among 199 passports of product (GDP) is expected to contract by ______% the world: Japan in fiscal 2020-21: 7.7 776) The Indian passport was placed at which rank in the 756) The NewDevelopment Bank, Shanghai signed loan Henley’s Passport Index?85 agreements worth $646 million with the 777) Four times Chief Minister of Gujarat and two times Government of India for two road projects in which union minister from Gujarat passed away on Jan 9. Indian State? Andhra Pradesh Who was he? Madhavsinh Solanki 757) Which is the first urban co-operative bank in India 778) The Cherry Blossom Mao Festival was held on Jan 9 to receive a license from RBI to operate as a Small in Mao town of Senapati district of which state? Finance Bank? The Shivalik Mercantile Co- Manipur operative Bank, Saharanpur 779) Government has approved procurement of 83 Tejas 758) Claire Polosak scripted history on Jan 7 by becoming LCA worth about Rs 48,000 crore. What is LCA? the first female ______in the 144 year old history Light Combat Aircraft of men's Test matches: Match official 780) Which company will supply 83 Tejas LCA to Indian 759) Claire Polosak hails from which country? Australia Air Force? Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, 760) Hundreds of President Donald Trump's supporters Bengaluru stormed which building on Jan 6 in a stunning bid to 781) Makar Sankranti is celebrated by which name in overturn his election defeat? US Capitol Gujarat?Uttarayan 761) Celebration of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on January 9 782) State of Assam celebrates Makar Sankranti in the marks the return of Mahatma Gandhi in 1915 from form of which festival? Magh Bihu which country? 783) India’s first ever ice climbing festival was held in 762) World Hindi Day is observed on January 10 to mark Nubra valley in which place? Leh, Ladakh the holding of which event for the first time in 1975? 784) According to a recent government survey, Tirthan World Hindi Conference Wildlife Sanctuary and Great Himalayan National 763) The National Hindi Diwas is observed on which Park were declared the best. They are in which date? Sep 14 place? Kullu, HP 764) Who was the Chief Guest for the celebrations of this 785) Which country organised the fourth ‘One Planet year’s PravasiBharatiya Divas? Chandrikapersad Summit’, through video conferencing on January Santokhi 11? France 765) Who is Sh.Chandrikapersad Santokhi? President of 786) SadyrJaparov, former Prime Minister of Suriname ______has been elected as the new President 766) What was the theme of this year’s Pravasi Bharatiya of the country: Kyrgyzstan Divas? Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat 787) Which National Day is celebrated on Jan 15 to mark 767) Indian Navy coordinated the second edition of the the taking over of command of Indian Army by then largest coastal defence exercise named ______: Lt Gen K M Cariappa, the first Indian Commander- Sea Vigil-21 in-Chief? Army Day 768) Naval defence exercise Sea Vigil-21 was conducted 788) Archaeologists have discovered the world’s oldest at which place? All along the Indian coast and EEZ known cave art, some 45,500 years old, in which (Exclusive Economic Zone) country? Indonesia 769) EEZ is an area of the sea in which a sovereign state 789) The Reserve Bank has set up a working group has special rights regarding the exploration and use headed by Jayant Kumar Dash, Executive Director, of marine resources. It extends up to what limit: RBI for what purpose? To review the functioning 200 nautical miles (370.4 km) of digital lending 770) Which organization has offered to adopt one 790) As per the International Migration Report 2020 hundred Atal Tinkering Labs to promote Space released by the UN's Population Division, ______Education and related innovations for school has the world's largest Diaspora: India students? Indian Space Research Organisation, 791) Which country is host to the largest number of ISRO migrants in the world? USA 771) Which organization looks after the functioning of 792) What is the name of the India’s first indigenous 9mm Atal Tinkering Labs? NITI Aayog machine pistol developed by DRDO? Asmi 772) National Youth Day is observed on January 12to 793) Which Indian ministry won the SKOCH Challenger commemorate the birth anniversary of which great Award for outstanding performance in e- personality? Swami Vivekananda Governance? Ministry of Tribal Affairs

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 102 794) International Film Festival of India (IFFI) opened on 815) Dr. V. Shanta, the world renowned______passed 16th January in Goa. It was which edition of the away due to brief illness in Chennai: Oncologist festival? 51st 816) An oncologist specializes in which field of medicine? 795) Who was the head of the jury at the 51st IFFI? Pablo Cancer treatment Cesar of 817) India created history by winning series against 796) Which was the country of focus at the 51st IFFI? Australia. Where was the fourth and final match Bangladesh played? Brisbane 797) To spur entrepreneurship across the Nation, the 818) Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal government announced Startup India Seed Fund Nishank was recently felicitated with which Scheme with a corpus of Rs.______crore: 1,000 international honour in literature? Canada Sahitya 798) A unicorn startup is one with a valuation of Gaurav ______dollar and above: One billion 819) The 850 MW Ratle Hydro Electric Project is to be 799) In Indonesia a powerful earthquake built on which river? Chenab rocked ______island, killing at least 92 people: 820) The Ratle Hydro Electric Project is to be built in Sulawesi which state/UT? J&K 800) Who was the renowned Indian classical musician of 821) NITI Aayog released the second edition of the India Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana who breathed his last at Innovation Index-2020. Which major state topped his Mumbai residence on Jan 17? Ustad Mustafa the index? Karnataka Khan 822) Which small state or UT stood first in the India 801) Ustad Mustafa Khan was honoured with which of Innovation Index-2020? Delhi the national Awards - Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, 823) Which state topped the India Innovation Index- Padma Vibhushan? All three 2020 in the North East and Hill States category? 802) What does letter ‘R’stands for in the abbreviation Himachal Pradesh PCRA? Research 824) Indian Defence Forces conducted which joint 803) What is the name of the one month long awareness exercise in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal to campaign launched by the PCRA on Jan16? explore the synergy of all the four forces? Exercise SAKSHAM Kavach 804) The Department of Science and Technology, 825) The first phase of the pan-India roll out of the Government of India, opened which portal to the COVID-19 vaccination drive was launched on which general public? National Innovation Portal date? January 16 805) ICICI Bank has tied up with Niyo to issue prepaid 826) What is the name of the covid vaccine developed and cards ‘ICICI Bank Niyo Bharat Payroll Card’ to which produced indigenously in India? Covaxin segment of customers? The blue collar workers of 827) What is the name of the covid vaccine being MSMEs produced in India by the Serum Institute of India, 806) What is the name of the bike ambulances launched Pune? Covishield by the DRDO for the CRPF? Rakshita 828) Covishield vaccine has been developed by whom? 807) Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry has University of Oxford and AstraZeneca announced that India's new Foreign Trade Policy 829) Which mobile app has been developed by the will come into effect from April 1, 2021 for which Central government to ensure smooth period? 2021 to 26 implementation of Covid vaccination across the 808) The new Foreign Trade Policy aims to make India a country? CoWIN $______trillion economy by boosting exports: Five 830) Joe Biden was sworn in as the _____ President of USA 809) President of which African country scored a decisive on Jan 20: 46th election victory in third week of January to win a 831) New US President has declared that the USA will re- record sixth term as the President?Uganda join international organization ______: WHO – 810) Who has won the sixth term as President in Uganda? World Health Organisation Yoweri Museveni 832) USA has announced that it will not boycott the 811) Which city hosted the Yonex Thailand Open – 2021 ______Accord: Paris Climate Badminton Tournament? Bangkok 833) India’s first ever Winter Sports Festival was held 812) India’s first Labour Movement Museum is to be under the Khelo India initiative at which place? launched in ______in Kerala: Alappuzha Zanskar in district Kargil of Ladakh 813) Indian Air Force and French Air and Space 834) Name the Indian who won the 2021 Michael and Force conducted a five day (Jan 20 to 24) bilateral Sheila Held Prize given for outstanding and Air exercise at which place? Air Force Station, innovative research in mathematics: Nikhil Jodhpur Srivastava 814) What was the name of the 5 day joint Indo-French 835) Government has decided to celebrate Jan 23, air exercise held in Jodhpur? Ex Desert Knight-21 birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as which national day? Parakram Diwas

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 103 836) Indian Railways has decided to rename one of its 857) Name the popular iconic bhajan singer from oldest trains -- Howrah-Kalka Mail. What’s the new Amritsar who passed away in New Delhi: Narendra name? Netaji Express Chanchal 837) Airtel Payments Bank launched which new 858) DRDO successfully conducted a captive and release innovative feature to protect Airtel customers from trial of indigenously developed SAAW from Hawk-i the growing incidents of online payment frauds? aircraft. Expand the term SAAW: Smart Anti- Airtel SafePay Airfield Weapon 838) Which ministry announced the establishment of a 859) The government has raised the authorised capital of first of its kind Quantum Computing Applications which Bank to Rs.10,000 crore from Rs. 3,000 crore Lab in India? Ministry of Electronics and at present? Punjab & Sind Bank Information Technology DECEMBER 2020 839) Quantum Computing Applications Lab will be 860) Bharat Dynamics Ltd. Hyderabad handed over its established with technical collaboration with which first Heavy Weight Torpedo to the Indian Navy. global tech venture? Amazon Web Services What is its name? Varunastra 840) The Reserve Bank declared the continuation of the 861) What is the strike range of Varunastra? 40 kms D-SIB (Domestic Systemically Important Banks) 862) Recently, a bioluminescent or light emitting variety status for which three Indian Banks for the year of mushroom has been discovered in forests of 2020? ICICI Bank, State Bank of India and HDFC which state? Meghalaya Bank 863) International Day For The Elimination Of Violence 841) Global Firepower ranked India at which rank in Against Women is celebrated on which day? terms of Military Strength? Fourth November 25 842) What is Pakistan’s rank in the Military Strength 864) National Milk Day is observed on Nov 26 to mark the Ranking released by the Global Firepower? Tenth birth anniversary of which great pioneer of milk 843) India celebrates National Girl Child Day on which industry? Dr. Verghese Kurien date? January 24 865) World Milk Day is observed around the world on 844) The International Day of Girl Child is observed on which date? June 01. which date? October 11 866) The Constitution Day celebrated on Nov 26 is also 845) Which day of January is celebrated as the known as ______Day: National Law Day International Day of Education? 24th 867) Which national day is observed on Nov 27 to 846) In India which day has been selected to be observed promote organ donation? Indian Organ Donation as the National Education Day? November 11 Day 847) The Election Commission of India came into 868) Name the Congress veteran and AICC treasurer who existence on Jan 25, 1950. Which national day is passed away on Nov 25: Ahmed Patel observed to commemorate this day? National 869) The 2020 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Voters Day (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting was held on Nov 848) Internationally, World Leprosy Day is observed on 20 under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister of which day? Last Sunday of January which country? Malaysia 849) Leprosy is also known as ______disease: Hansen’s 870) Which country will host APEC summit in 2021? 850) Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on Jan 31 in New Zealand 1948. This day is nationally observed as which day? 871) Name the strong tropical cyclone from the south Martyrs Day/Anti Leprosy Day west Bay of Bengal which crossed the Tamil Nadu- 851) The Commonwealth of Cricketis a recent book Puducherry coasts on Nov 25: Nivar written by whom?Ramchandra Guha 872) World Heritage Weekis celebrated every year from 852) What is the title of the recent novel authored by Nov 19-25 with the support of which UN agency? Rachel Hawkins? The Wife Upstairs UNESCO 853) Gazing Eastwardsis a book written by which noted 873) Name the Argentinean football legend who passed historian? Romila Thapar away on Nov25: Diego Maradona 854) What is the title of the recent book written by S Y 874) Who has been elected as the new independent Quraishi, former CEC of India? The Population chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Myth: Islam, Family Planning and Politics in Dubai? Greg Barclay India 875) Which web series has become first from India to win 855) According to the annual World Cooperative Monitor the Best Drama Series award at the 48th Report, 2020, which Indian cooperative ranked International Emmy Awards, 2020? Delhi Crime number one in terms of ratio of turnover over the 876) Which film has been selected as India's official entry per capita GDP? IFFCO-- Indian Farmers for the 93rd Academy Awards - Oscarsin the Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd. foreign-language film category? Jallikattu 856) Which cooperative has been declared as the biggest 877) Jallikattu film has been made in which language? cooperative in the world in terms of annual Malyalam turnover? Groupe Crédit Agricole of France GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 104 878) Which Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh bagged the 899) The first coal-based power plant of Arab Gulf international award TX2? Pilibhit Tiger Reserve countries is being developed in Saih Shuaib, in 879) Pilibhit Tiger Reserve won the TX2 award for which which country? UAE achievement? For more than doubling the 900) Which batsman recently created a new record for number of tigers in the past four years, from 25 becoming the fastest batsman to complete 22,000 to 65. runs? Virat Kohli 880) The 10th edition of the prestigious National Science 901) December 1 is observed as the World AIDS Day. Film Festival was held from 24 to 27 November with Which virus causes AIDS? HIV - human association of which state? Tripura immunodeficiency virus 881) In which country Dr. Gaurav Sharma, Member of 902) RBI has increased the timings for RTGS transactions Parliament (MP) created history by becoming the wef Dec 14, 2020. What are the new timings? 24X7 first Indian-origin parliamentarian to take oath in – round the clock – all the days Sanskrit language on foreign land? New Zealand 903) During April-September 2020, India attracted 882) Faqir Chand Kohli passed away due to a heart attack highest amount of FDI from which country? on November 26 at his residence in Mumbai. He was Singapore known as the “Father of ______Industry”: IT 904) India's first indigenously developed 100 Octane 883) Faqir Chand Kohli was the first CEO of which major premium petrol was launched recently under which IT company? TCS – Tata Consultancy Services brand name? XP-100 884) According to data by the NSO on Nov 27, the Indian 905) Which public sector oil marketing company has economy contracted by ____ per cent in the quarter launched XP_100 petrol? Indian Oil Corporation ending Sep 30: 7.5 Limited 885) Which country has been ranked at the top in the 906) ______become the first country in the world to final rankings list for 2020, released by FIFA on approve the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine: November 27? Belgium Britain 886) Russia has selected which Indian drug company to 907) Nongpok Sekmai police station has been chosen as manufacture Sputnik V Corona vaccine in India? the best performing Police Station in the country. It Hetero Drugs, Hyderabad is in which state? Manipur 887) Govt has approved the construction of the Song Dam 908) The Reserve Bank has asked which Bank to Drinking Water Project worth Rs 1100 crore in temporarily stop all launches of the 'Digital Business which state? Uttarakhand generating activities’? HDFC Bank 888) Roch Marc Christian Kabore has been re-elected as 909) India's spice king and a noted philanthropist, owner the President of Burkina Faso, a small landlocked of MDH spices, passed away on Dec 3. What was his country in ______? Western Africa name? Mahashay Dharampal Gulati 889) Cambridge Dictionary has named ______as Word 910) What is the full form of MDH? Mahashian di Hatti of the Year 2020: ‘Quarantine’ 911) Researchers at which university have created the 890) Which Indian short film has been selected as India's world’s smallest memory device: University of official entry at the 93rd Academy Awards Texas, USA (Oscars)in the 'Live Action Short Film' category? 912) International Day of Persons with Disabilities, also Shameless called World Disability Day is observed on which 891) Who from India chaired the 19th meeting of SCO date? December 3 Council of Heads of Government Meeting in virtual 913) December 2is observed as the National Pollution format? Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu Control Day. It is associated with which big 892) How many countries are the members of SCO? industrial disaster? Bhopal Gas Tragedy, Dec 2-3, Eight 1984 893) Who is the Secretary General of SCO? Valadimir 914) What was the name of the highly poisonous gas Norov leakage of which in Bhopal claimed over 6,000 lives 894) A commemorative coin of Rs. 100 was released to in 1984? Methyl Iso-cyanate – MIC mark the centennial foundation day of which 915) Utpal Kumar Singh has been appointed as university? University of Lucknow ______of Lok Sabha with effect from 1 895) MQ-9B Sea Guardian, unarmed version of the deadly December: Secretary-General Predator series was recently inducted into Indian 916) Who appoints the Secretary-General of Lok Sabha? Navy. What it is? Drone Lok Sabha Speaker 896) Which country has supplied MQ-9B Sea Guardian 917) The 21st edition of the famous Hornbill Festival was drone to India? USA held in virtual mode in which state? Nagaland 897) Where in India the largest Solar Project is being set 918) According to US Air Quality Index`s data released on up at a high altitude place? Air Force Station, Leh. Dec 1, ______is the most polluted city in the world: 898) Which bank became the first bank in India to cross Lahore Rs. 8 trillion in market capitalization? HDFC Bank

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 105 919) As per the Global Terrorism Index 2020, ______is 940) The Indian Air Force carried out successful firing of the most impacted country by terrorism, for the the short-range Igla missiles. They have been second year in a row: Afghanistan supplied by which country? Russia 920) What was India’s rank as per the Global Terrorism 941) Which state proposes to set up Raimona National Index 2020? 8th Park that will cover an area of 422 sq km.? Assam 921) Merriam-Webster, America's most trusted online 942) The government has given its nod to create a new dictionary announced ______as its 2020 word of position in the India army. What is its name? the year: Pandemic Deputy Chief of Army Staff – Strategy 922) World Computer Literacy Day is celebrated around 943) Who is the first appointee to the newly created post the world on which date? December 2 of Deputy Chief of Army Staff – Strategy? Lt Gen 923) Government has announced launch of a luxury Paramjit Singh cruise tour based on the epic Ramayana, on which 944) Japanese spaceship ______successfully sent on earth river? Saryu a small capsule to deliver samples collected by it 924) Severe cyclonic storm Nivar made landfall early on from a distant asteroid: Hayabusa-2 Dec 3 at Marakkanam in which state? Tamil Nadu 945) What is the name of the space agency of Japan? 925) Which national day is observed on Dec 4 to mark the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency – JAXA fierce attack by Indian Navy on Karachi harbour? 946) International Volunteer Day is observed on which National/Indian Navy Day date? December 5 926) The Indian Navy along with Russian Federation 947) Which two cities of Madhya Pradesh have been Navy conducted a joint naval exercise named ______included in the list of World Heritage Cities by from 4to 5 December: PASSEX UNESCO? Gwalior and Orchha 927) The PASSEX exercise with Russian Navy was 948) Name the India’s top formula racer who created conducted in which area? Eastern Indian Ocean history on Dec 6 as he became the first driver from Region the country to win a Formula 2 race: Jehan 928) Name the former Punjab Chief Minister and Daruwala Shiromani Akali Dal patron who announced to 949) International Civil Aviation Day is observed on Dec return his Padma Vibhushan award in solidarity 7 to highlight the role and importance of which with the farmers protesting against the three farm international organization? International Civil laws: Parkash Singh Badal Aviation Organisation 929) The RBI has proposed to enhance the limit for 950) Where are the headquarters of the International contactless card transactions from Rs 2,000 to Civil Aviation Organisation located? Montreal, Rs______from January 1, 2021: Rs. 5,000 Canada 930) Who has been named by TIME magazine as the first- 951) Which national day is observed throughout the ever ‘Kid of the Year'? Gitanjali Rao country on Dec 7 to honour the martyrs and the men 931) Who is the winner of the Global Teacher Prize 2020? in uniform: Armed Forces Flag Day Ranjitsinh Disale from Gujarat 952) Asian Development Bank approved a $ 190 million 932) What is the cash award given with the Global loan for modernisation and upgradation of power Teacher Prize? $ 1 million distribution system in which Indian city? 933) Who has topped the list of the richest women in Bengaluru India with a networth of Rs 54,850 crore? Roshni 953) Which International day is observed on Dec 2 to Nadar Malhotra spread awareness about ending human trafficking 934) Roshni Nadar Malhotra is the CEO of which and the exploitation of humans? International Day company? HCL Technologies for Abolition of Slavery 935) Scientists in which country have built the world's 954) Anil Soni has been appointed as the first Chief first light-based quantum computer which is one Executive Officer of which international foundation? trillion times faster than the most powerful WHO Foundation supercomputer? China 955) Which Bank launched a new version of its mobile 936) Who has been elected as the new president of FICCI payment app ‘iMobile Pay’ which allows its use to for the year 2020-21? Uday Shankar customers of any other bank? ICICI Bank 937) International Day of Banks is observed on which day 956) The International Olympic Committee has of December? Fourth registered which dance form as an official Olympic 938) What is the theme of the World Soil Day observed on sport with the name breaking? Break-dance Dec 5? Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity 957) ______has become the second country in the 939) Transparency International’s report titled “Global world to unfurl its national flag on the moon surface: Corruption Barometer – Asia” has found that China ______has the highest bribery rate at 39%: India 958) Which global bank approved technical assistance of $ 2.5 million (about Rs 18 crore) to support advanced biofuels development in India? Asian Development Bank

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 106 959) Who has been declared World Athlete of the Year – 981) Under Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana Male by the World Athletics? Mondo Duplantis of government will provide PF contribution of both Sweden employee and of employer for how many years? 960) Mondo Duplantis is associated with which sports? Two Pole Vault 982) ______has become the first Union Territory to 961) Who is the winner of the World Athlete of the Year – practise 100% organic farming? Lakshadweep Female award? Yulimar Rojas 983) The Union Cabinet approved on Dec 9 the setting up 962) Yulimar Rojas is an outstanding champion of which of public Wi-Fi networks across the length and athletic event? Triple jump breadth of the country, by which name? PM Wi-Fi 963) Sergio Perez became the first Mexican victor (since Access Network Interface (WANI) 1970) in F1 race winning the Sakhir Grand Prix in 984) The Indian Navy has placed an order for supply of which country? Bahrain ‘SMASH 2000 Plus’ fire control systems with which 964) Sergio Perez, winner of the Sakhir Grand Prix at country? Israel Bahrain, hails from which country? Mexico 985) According to a report by Truecaller, India has been 965) Who became the first person to finish a half placed at which placein terms of the number of spam marathon in under 58 minutes? Kibiwott Kandie calls?9th 966) Kibiwott Kandie is a marathon runner from which 986) Who has been named by the prestigious TIME country? Kenya magazine as '2020 Person of the Year'? Joe Biden 967) International Anti-Corruption Day is observed on and Kamala Harris which day of December? 9th 987) Name the contemporary Indian dancer, renowned 968) What is the theme of this year’s International Anti- for marrying Kathak and Kathakali into a unique Corruption Day? Recover With Integrity form, who died in Mumbai on Dec 10: Astad Deboo 969) The Indian Navy celebrates National Submarine Day 988) Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah has been re- on Dec 9 to commemorate the induction of the first appointed as the Prime Minister of which Arabian submarine named ______: INS Kalvari country? Kuwait 970) Nepal and China jointly announced on Dec 8 that the 989) Which international day is observed with support revised height of the world's highest peak Mount from UNO to encourage sustainable development in Everest. The new height is higher by which amount? mountains all over the world? International 86cm Mountain Day 971) In the Forbes list of the world's 100 most powerful 990) Who won FICCI Sportspersons of the Year-Men for women, who has been placed at top? Angela 2020? Wrestler Bajrang Punia Merkel, Chancellor of Germany 991) Which female shooter won theFICCI Sportspersons 972) Which politician has secured highest rank, 41st, of the Year-Women for 2020? Elavenil Valarivan among Indians in the Forbes list of the world's 100 992) A joint virtual summit was held between Prime most powerful women? Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister Narendra Modi and President of ______Finance Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Dec 11: Uzbekistan 973) Parthiv Patel announced his retirement on Dec 9 993) The Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians from all forms of the game. He led which Ranji team 2020 was awarded to Dr. Carolina Araujo, to its first victory? Gujarat Mathematician from ______: Brazil 974) Which Indian organization won the International 994) Which international day is celebrated every year to King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award? Indian mark the establishment of UNICEF on this day in Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) 1946? UNICEF Day, Dec 11 975) The ICAR is based in which city? New Delhi 995) Headquarters of UNICEF are located in which city? 976) Indian journalist-author Raj Kamal Jha won the New York Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize 2020 for which 996) Who is the current head of the UNICEF? Ms. of his novel? The City and the Sea Henrietta H. Fore 977) India has been ranked at which place in the top 10 997) Which UN agency celebrates the International in the global Climate Change Performance Index Universal Health Coverage Day on Dec 12? WHO – (CCPI) -2020? 10th World Health Organisation 978) Which day of December has been selected for 998) The summit named Climate Ambition Summit 2020 celebrating the Human Rights Day? 10th was held recently to mark fifth anniversary of which 979) ______has beaten Coronavirus to second place to climate agreement? Paris Climate Agreement become India’s most searched word on Google in 999) ______became the fourth Arab League country to 2020: IPL - Indian Premier League agree to normalise relations with Israel in a deal 980) The union cabinet approved on Dec 8 which scheme brokered with US help: Morocco to incentivize creation of new employment 1000) The first Trilateral Working Group Meeting between opportunities? Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar India, ______and Uzbekistan on joint use of Yojana Chabahar Port was held on Dec 14 in virtual mode: Iran GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 107 1001) VidyavachaspatiBannanje Govindacharya, a 1022) The New Development Bank approved a $1 billion renowned Sanskrit scholar and propagator of the loan to provide support to ______Abhiyan through Madhva ideology, passed away recently. He hailed MGNREGA Scheme: Atma Nirbhar Bharat from which state? Karnataka 1023) Name the 29-year-old Indian entrepreneur engineer 1002) Which UN organization has decided to launch an who won the Young Champions of the Earth 2020: international prize in the field of ‘creative economy’ Vidyut Mohan in the name of Bangabandhu? UNESCO 1024) India slipped by one spot to rank ______among 189 1003) Which great Bangladeshi leader is popularly known countries covered in the 2020 Human Development as Bangabandhu? Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Index: 131 1004) Headquarters of UNESCO are located in which city? 1025) Which country topped the 2020 Human Paris Development Index? Norway 1005) Who is the current Director General of UNESCO? 1026) A capsule from which Chinese spacecraft Ms. Audrey Azoulay successfully brought back samples from the Moon’s 1006) WHO signed a MoU also known as ‘Red Channel surface? Chang’e-5 Agreement’ with which popular NGO? Red Cross 1027) India signed a $400 million pact with the ______1007) What is the name of the Nilgiri-class frigate that was to protect the poor and vulnerable from the impact recently launched at Kolkata? INS Himgiri of COVID-19: World Bank 1008) Max Verstappen, winner of the season-ending Abu 1028) Name the American media personality who was Dhabi Grand Prix, hails from which country? announced the highest-paid celebrity of 2020 by Netherlands Forbes in its Highest-Paid Celebrity List 2020: Kylie 1009) The National Energy Conservation Day is observed Jenner on which day of December? 14th 1029) Nana Akufo-Addo has been re-elected as the 1010) The National Energy Conservation Day is celebrated President of ______, a country in west Africa: Ghana by which organization under the Ministry of Power? 1030) ISRO successfully launched the country’s new Bureau of Energy Efficiency communication satellite. What is its name? CMS-01 1011) Yash Vardhan, the 17-year-old shooter from 1031) Government has decided to include ______won gold in the 10m air rifle at the 6th henceforth as a competitive sport and part of sports edition of the International Online Shooting disciplines in all national and university games: Championship: Rajasthan Yoga 1012) Vijay Diwas is observed every year on Dec 16 to 1032) ISRO has set up a dedicated Space Situational mark the victory over Pakistan in which war? 1971 Awareness (SSA) Control Centre named 1013) India Post Payments Bank launched a new digital ______, at its ISTRAC campus at Peenya, payment app for its customers to operate their Bengaluru: NETRTA banking services online. What is its name? Dak Pay 1033) The foundation stone of the world's largest 1014) The United Kingdom has confirmed that Britain’s renewable energy park was laid in ______, Prime Minister ______will be the chief guest at the Gujarat: Kutch Republic Day Parade on January 26, 2021: Boris 1034) India contributed $ 1 million to which global sports Johnson body? World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 1015) The International Hockey Federation had 1035) Which country has been banned from using its announced that the 2023 FIH Men’s Hockey World name, flag and anthem at the next Olympics or any Cup will be hosted in ______, India: Odisha world championships for the next two years? 1016) ICGS Saksham and ICGS Sujeet,indigenously built Russia Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) were commissioned 1036) Which international day is observed every year on at Goa in which wing of Indian forces? Indian Coast Dec 18 to protect the rights of migrant workers and Guard of members of their families? International 1017) Name the eminent aerospace scientist from Migrants Day Karnataka who died at a private hospital in 1037) What is the theme for this year’s International Bengaluru on Dec 14: Roddam Narasimha Migrants Day? Reimagining Human Mobility 1018) Every year India and several tea producing 1038) India celebrates Minorities Rights Day on Dec 18. countries celebrate Tea Day on which date? Dec. 15 How many minority communities are recognized in 1019) Which is the largest tea producing state of India? India? Six Assam 1039) ______has become the first zoo in the country 1020) Which country successfully test-launched its heavy to receive the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management lift space rocket Angara A5 on Dec 14? Russia Standards Certification from the Accreditation 1021) What is the name of the space agency of Russia? Services for Certification Bodies (ASCB), UK: Nehru Roscosmos Zoological Park, Hyderabad 1040) Who won the Best FIFA Men’s Player 2020 Award? Robert Lewandowski

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 108 1041) Robert Lewandowski hails from which country? ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION FORM Poland 1042) Which player won the Best FIFA women’s Player FOR HARD/SOFT COPY

2020 Award? Lucy Bronze, England TO SUBSCRIBE THE MAGAZINE 1043) The 35th edition of India-Indonesia Coordinated WhatsApp or SMS TO 09646888377 Patrol was conducted by Navies of India and Indonesia in which area? Indian Ocean SUBSCRIPTION PERIOD: ONLY 12 MONTHS FROM (MONTH) …………………..TO……………. (MONTH) 1044) The Olympic Council of Asia awarded hosting of 2030 Asian Games to ______and of 2034 Asian AMOUNT: Rs. 700/- For Hard Copy Games to ______: Doha, Qatar; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, respectively Name: Mr./Ms……………………………………………….………Rs. 400/- For Soft Copy 1045) Which country’s tradition of communal dining at hawker centres, open air food courts has been Address:…………………………………………………………….… recognised by UNESCO for its cultural significance? Singapore …………………………………………………………………City :……………………………District:……………………. 1046) Which Bank in partnership with Mastercard, launched India’s first metal credit card – ‘PIONEER State: ………………..…………………..PIN:

Heritage’? IndusInd Bank Email: ………………………………………………………………….. 1047) The Human Freedom Index 2020 placed India at the th ______spot out of 162 countries: 111 Ph./Mob…………………………………………………..………… 1048) Which country topped the Human Freedom Index 2020? New Zealand The subscription amount can be 1049) India’s first advanced Hypersonic Wind Tunnel Facility of DRDO was inaugurated at which place? remitted to our following account: Hyderabad 1050) The Sports Ministry has approved the inclusion of which four indigenous games to be a part of Khelo

India Youth Games 2021? Gatka, Kalaripayattu, …………………………………………………………………………………………… Thang Ta and Mallakhamb PARTICULARS OF REMITTANCE: 1051) Martial art Thang Ta is associated with which state? Amount remitted: Rs………… Date:…./…./…… Manipur Bank………………………………..Branch…………… 1052) Name the Congress veteran, who was twice Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and former Governor of Transaction no………………………….. UP, who passed away a day after his 93rd birthday: DATE:______Signature Motilal Vora 1053) International Human Solidarity Day is celebrated on (Magazine will be sent through Online Mode only) nd which date? Dec 20 GYANM: SCO 13-15, 2 FLOOR, SEC 34-A, CHANDIGARH 1054) Name the 19 year old female wrestler from Haryana PH: 0172-4052124, 9117-34 34 34

who won a silver in the 57 kg category at the World Cup in Belgrade, Serbia: Anshu Malik 1055) President of which country conferred the country’s highest decoration, The Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander, upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi? USA 1056) Amit Panghal, Manisha Moun and Simranjit Kaur, all three won gold medal in the World Cup of which sports? Boxing 1057) Who has been honoured with the Assocham Enterprise of the Century Award? Ratan Tata 1058) National Mathematics Day is observed in India on which date? Dec 22 1059) National Mathematics Daycommemorates the birth anniversary of which legendary mathematician? Srinivasa Ramanujan

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